While the 2022 global average temperature didn't hit a record, it was still the sixth warmest on record. The problem is another, though. Which? The next two years, let the NOO (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) from the USA, will set just as many records since we started keeping an eye on the thermometer, in 1880. Global warming shows no signs of slowing down. On the contrary.
There are signs of accelerating warming
TG and academies are still discussing objectives such as keeping global warming within 1,5°C. And it is not clear why, as this objective has already been blatantly failed. The merciless data from the last 8 years says so. Every year since 2015, according to the NOAA science team, has been more than 1 degree Celsius warmer than pre-industrial times. Last year was also 1,1° Celsius warmer than in the mid-XNUMXth century
In other words: every year not only does the possibility that the world exceed the critical global warming threshold of 1,5 degrees Celsius (2,7 degrees Fahrenheit) established in 2015 grow. There are even signs of an acceleration of warming (even if not enough to be sure). One thing is certain, however: the general trend on heating it has been solid and unstoppable since the mid-70s.
La Niña is not enough
La Niña, a natural event that has the effect of changing the climate around the world, is experiencing prolonged activity for the third consecutive year. However, the effects of this phenomenon (if you don't know what it is there is a very clear article at this address) are no longer enough. Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies, notes in an interview with the Associated Press that the "cooling" capacity of La Niña has collapsed and will make this year warmer than 2022. Not only that: 2024 would probably even be the hottest year ever.
Global warming hit the headlines when Schmidt's predecessor, the climate scientist James hansen, testified about rising temperatures in 1988. It was the hottest year in history. Today, 1988 it is only the 28th warmest year on record. And the last time Earth had temperatures below the 20th century average was in 1976.
In 2022, extreme events triggered by global warming have undermined health, food, energy and water security and infrastructure across virtually the entire planet. Large areas of Pakistan they were flooded, with serious economic losses and human victims. Record heat waves have been observed in China, Europe, North and South America. Drought in the Horn of Africa threatens a humanitarian catastrophe.
Are we really wasting more time by diverting the public debate to the protests of last generation and about their opportunity? Enough of everything, protests and reprimands. All. We need the facts.
