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The World Meteorological Organization declares that extreme weather events, including severe heatwaves and devastating floods, will be the new normal of our world. The 2021 Climate Status Report has shown a vastly different world evolving right before our eyes. Over the past 20 years since 2002, the average temperature has risen by 1 degree Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, with global sea levels reaching new highs in 2021.The 2021 Climate Status Report, released by the WMO, coincides with the start of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, held in the city of Glasgow, Scotland.
The report has highlighted rapid changes in climate indices, including temperature, severe weather events, rising sea levels, and ocean conditions. Studies suggest that the past 7 years, including 2021, may be the warmest period ever recorded due to greenhouse gas effects. The temperature rise has led to a surge in extreme weather events occurring more frequently.
According to Professor Petteri Taalas of the WMO, extreme events are becoming the new normal. There is increasing scientific evidence indicating that some of these events are caused by climate change. Professor Taalas also listed a series of unusual weather phenomena occurring this year.- For the first time, rain instead of snow was observed in Greenland
- A heatwave in Canada and neighboring areas of the US pushed temperatures to nearly 50 degrees Celsius in a village in British Columbia.
- Death Valley - California reached 54.4 degrees Celsius during a heatwave in the southwestern United States
- Areas of Europe experienced severe flooding, resulting in dozens of casualties and billions of dollars in damage
- The second consecutive year of drought in the South American subtropical region has reduced river flow, affecting agriculture, transportation, and energy production.
