“Human-Induced Global Warming Accelerating at Unprecedented Rate: New Report”
Global warming caused by humans is at an all-time high, advancing at a rate of 0.26°C per decade, according to the second annual Indicators of Global Climate Change report. The report revealed that human-induced warming rose to 1.19°C between 2014-2023, an increase from the 1.14°C seen in 2013-2022.
In 2023, warming caused by anthropogenic activity reached 1.3°C, although lower than the total amount of warming experienced in 2023 – 1.43°C. It is believed that natural climate variability, particularly El Niño, influenced the record temperatures seen in 2023.
The report highlighted that human-induced warming is increasing at an unprecedented rate, roughly 0.26°C per decade over 2014-2023. This increase is attributed to high greenhouse gas emissions, equal to 53 billion tonnes of CO2 per year, as well as ongoing improvements in air quality reducing the strength of human-caused cooling from particles in the atmosphere.
Professor Piers Forster, Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures at the University of Leeds, emphasized that global temperatures are still heading in the wrong direction and faster than ever before. He stated that rapidly reducing emissions of greenhouse gases towards net zero will limit the level of global warming experienced.
The analysis also revealed that there is only 200 gigatonnes of the remaining carbon budget left, roughly around five years’ worth of current emissions. This is significantly lower than previous estimates, creating an “information gap” as climate indicators are changing rapidly.
The report emphasized the need to build more resilient societies in the face of devastating impacts from wildfires, drought, flooding, and heatwaves. It is crucial to take immediate action to mitigate the effects of human-induced global warming and work towards a more sustainable future.
The latest findings underscore the urgent need for global cooperation and decisive action to address the escalating threat of human-induced global warming. The next IPCC assessment is not until 2027, highlighting the importance of ongoing research and monitoring to track the impact of human activities on the climate system.