WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION STATE CLIMATE REPORT 2018

Question: Consider the following statements regarding World Meteorological Organization State Climate Report 2018:
(1) Year 2018 is on course to be the fourth warmest year on record
(2) Mean Global Mean Sea Level for the period from January to July 2018 has been 2 to 3 mm higher than for the equivalent period in 2017
(3) The oceans absorbed around 25% of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions in last decade
Choose the correct statement/s:
(a) Only(1)
(b) Only(2)
(c) Both (1) and (2)
(d) All the above
Answer: (d)
Related facts:

  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has published the Statement on the State of the Global Climate on the sidelines of a high-level meeting on climate and sustainable development.
  • 2018: Fourth Warmest Year: 2018 is on course to be the fourth warmest year on record. This means that the past four years—2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018—taken together are the four warmest years on record.
  • In contrast to the other top warmest years, 2018 began with La Niña conditions, which are typically associated with lower global temperatures.
  • Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Continue to Rise: Levels of carbon dioxide concentrations continued to increase in 2018. Atmospheric concentrations reflect a balance between emissions due to human activities and the net uptake by the biosphere and oceans.
  • Sea Level Rise Continues: Mean Global Mean Sea Level for the period from January to July 2018 has been 2 to 3 mm higher than for the equivalent period in 2017.
  • Ocean Heat Content at Record High: More than 90% of the energy trapped by greenhouse gases goes into the oceans.
  • Ocean Acidification: In the past decade, the oceans absorbed around 25% of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.
  • Sea Ice Well Below Average: Arctic sea-ice extent was well below average throughout 2018 and was at record-low levels for the first two months of the year. Antarctic sea-ice extent was also well below average throughout 2018.
  • Glaciers are retreating: In the hydrological year 2016/17, observed glaciers experienced an ice loss of 0.850 meter water equivalent (m.w.e.).
  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
  • The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is the United Nations’ authoritative voice on weather, climate and water.
  • Every year, WMO issues a Statement on the State of the Global Climate based on data provided by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and other national and international organizations.

Link:
https://wmo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=855267a7dd394825aa8e9025e024f163