Geneva: In what could add to the woes of world leaders who will be attending the crucial climate change summit next week in Paris, United Nations weather agency has predicted that year 2015 could be the hottest year in recorded human history.
2015 is likely to be the hottest year on record, with ocean surface temperatures at the highest level since measurements began. It is probable that the 1°C Celsius threshold will be crossed," said WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud.
Calling it a bad news for the planet, Jarruad said, “Greenhouse gas emissions, which are causing climate change, can be controlled. We have the knowledge and the tools to act. We have a choice. Future generations will not."
“We are witnessing a powerful El Niño event, which is still gaining in strength. This is influencing weather patterns in many parts of the world and fuelled an exceptionally warm October,” he added.
“In the first nine months of 2015, global ocean heat content through both the upper 700 metres and 2,000 metres of the oceans hit record highs,” WMO said in a statement.
Sea levels in the first half of the year meanwhile appeared to be "the highest since satellite observations became available in 1993."
The last five-year had seen numerous extreme weather events that were influenced by climate change, WMO said, adding that the warming climate had increased the probability of heat waves by a factor of 10 or more in some cases.
China had its warmest January-to-October period on record, Africa is experiencing its second warmest year on record, while temperatures have also soared in western North America, large parts of South America, Africa and southern and eastern Eurasia.
Severe heatwaves hit India and Pakistan, as well as Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
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