According to this year’s State of the Climate report, greenhouse gases have reached a new all-time high. Since 1990, the greenhouse gases warming effect have grown by 43%.
In particular, carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas, was found to be on the rise. In 2018, carbon levels rose by 407.4 parts per million (ppm).
The report highlighted that the global temperature has increased, glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, and how the sea levels are rising.
What is The State of the Climate Report
The State of the Climate report is an annual international study with scientists from 57 countries participating. It has received the nickname of “Annual physical of the climate system” from meteorologists.
This report analyzes the climate conditions each year and how they are changing.
Key Findings
Since the start of the 21st century, the global temperature has been rising. In particular, every year this century has provided results above the average numbers collected between 1981 through 2010.
To highlight the fact, the report stated that 2018 was the fourth hottest year. With 2016, 2015, and 2017 being the only years that were warmer.
Due to the increasing temperatures, glaciers and ice sheets are melting at an alarming pace. In particular, the Artic’s temperature is rising at twice the rate of the rest of the world.
On top of glaciers and ice sheets melting, permafrost is also beginning to change. This is extremely problematic because buildings and pipelines in the region are built on top of it.
Not only is the air becoming warmer, but the oceans are, too. This is a major problem that threatens sea life and will affect weather patterns. Drier areas will become drier and wetter areas will become rainier.
Of course, the runoff water from these melting events goes into the ocean, which drives the rising. Since 1993, the oceans have risen 3.2 inches above the average.
This is only the surface of the report, it is extremely comprehensive and analyzes almost every aspect of the climate.
One of Many Reports
The climate crisis is being researched thoroughly and as a result, multiple reports have been released that also highlight the same information like this one.
For example, the United Nations recently released a report concerning the impact of land usage on the climate.
Another example is the impact climate change will have on the poor.
The amount of scientific research is piling up, but the action is slow to follow.
