Studies warn of climate change effects with 2013 sixth warmest year on record

The World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) Annual Statement On The Status Of The Global Climate noted that 2013 was tied with 2007 as the sixth warmest year on record, continuing the long-term global warming trend. It reports that thirteen of the fourteen warmest years on record have all occurred in the 21st century, and that each of the last three decades has been warmer than the previous. This trend has culminated in 2001-2010 being the warmest decade on record. The average global land and ocean surface temperature in 2013 was 14.5°C (58.1°F)-0.50°C (0.90°F) above the 1961-1990 average and 0.03°C (0.05°F) higher than the 2001-2010 decadal average, according to figures collated by the WMO.hideTemperatures in many parts of the southern hemisphere were especially high, with Australia having its hottest year on record and Argentina its second warmest. "Naturally occurring phenomena such as volcanic eruptions or El Niño and La Niña events have always contributed to frame our climate, influenced temperatures or caused disasters like droughts and floods. But many of the extreme events of 2013 were consistent with what we would expect as a result of human-induced climate change. We saw heavier precipitation, more intense heat and more damage from storm surges and coastal flooding as a result of sea level rise-as Typhoon Haiyan so tragically demonstrated in the Philippines," said WMO Secretary-General, Mr Michel Jarraud. "There is no standstill in global warming," continued Mr Jarraud. "The warming of our oceans has accelerated, and at lower depths. More than 90 per cent of the excess energy trapped by greenhouse gases is stored in the oceans. Levels of these greenhouse gases are at record levels, meaning that our atmosphere and oceans will continue to warm for centuries to come. The laws of physics are non-negotiable." In a separate study Swiss Re warned that rising temperatures are expected to lead to shifts in the frequency, intensity and duration of extreme weather events. According to its latest sigma study, climate change is 'widely acknowledged to be caused by rising greenhouse gas emissions'. Industrialisation and human activity has led to a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions which, alongside natural variability, have pushed global temperatures higher, said Swiss Re. It points to a report on extreme weather events published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IIPCC) that lists the following projected changes in climate as a result of global warming: Very likely increase in the length, frequency and/or intensity of warm spells or heat waves over most land areas Likely increase in the frequency of heavy precipitation events or an increase in proportion of total rainfall from heavy falls over many areas of the globe Medium confidence in a projected increase in duration and intensity of droughts in some regions of the world Very likely earlier spring peak flows in snowmelt- and glacier-fed rivers Very likely that mean sea level rise will contribute to upward trends in extreme coastal high water levels High confidence that changes in heat waves, glacial retreat, and/or permafrost degradation will affect high mountain phenomena, such as slope instabilities, mass movements and glacial lake outburst floods High confidence that changes in heavy precipitation will affect landslides in some regions. "Rising temperatures are expected to lead to more frequent and severe extreme weather events in the future. If no action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is taken, these events are likely to become an increasingly important factor in the ongoing upward trend of total losses," said Swiss Re. However its sigma study reported that insured and economic losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters were relatively low in 2013. Insured losses were roughly $45bn, down from $81bn in 2012 and below the 10-year inflation-adjusted average of $61bn. Of that total, natural catastrophes generated $37bn of losses and man-made disasters the other $8bn. Total economic losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters were around $140bn last year. This is down from $196bn in 2012 and well below the inflation-adjusted 10-year average of $190bn. In 2013, there were 308 disaster events, of which 150 were natural catastrophes and 158 man-made. Almost 26,000 people lost their lives or went missing in the disasters.

Studies warn of climate change effects with 2013 sixth warmest year on record

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