Human-Induced Global Warming Rising by 0.26°C Per Decade: Global Climate Change Report

The second annual Indicators of Global Climate Change Report has revealed alarming statistics about the state of our planet. 

According to the report, human-induced global warming is increasing at the rate of 0.26°C per decade, the highest rate since records began. 

The report, compiled by over 50 climate scientists under the supervision of the University of Leeds, found that human-induced warming has risen to 1.19°C over the past decade (2014-2023). 

This marks an increase from 1.14°C from 2013 to 2022, as cited in last year’s report.

The report indicates that the warming caused by human activity reached 1.3°C last year. 

This total was 1.43°C above the 1850-1900 average, according to the multi-data set mean used in the study. 

Natural climate variability, particularly the El Niño phenomenon, also played a role in the record temperatures observed in 2023.

One of the critical findings of the report is the remaining carbon budget. 

This budget, which represents how much carbon dioxide can be emitted before committing to 1.5°C of global warming, is now only around 200 gigatonnes (billion tonnes). 

This amount corresponds to roughly five years of current emissions. 

In 2020, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimated the remaining carbon budget for 1.5°C was between 300 and 900 gigatonnes, with a central estimate of 500 gigatonnes. 

However, continuous CO2 emissions and global warming have significantly reduced this budget. 

As of the start of 2024, the remaining carbon budget for 1.5°C stands between 100 and 450 gigatonnes, with a central estimate of 200 gigatonnes.

Piers Forster, director of the University of Leeds Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, emphasized that global temperatures are still rising and faster than ever before. 

Despite some progress in climate action, the level of global warming caused by human activities continues to increase. 

Forster noted that observed temperatures are influenced by long-term trends and shorter-term natural variations. In 2023, natural factors temporarily added around 10% to the long-term warming.

The report's release coincided with the Bonn Climate Conference, which is expected to set the agenda for climate negotiations this year. 

The conference will also open discussions on a new finance goal to replace the existing target of $100 billion per year. 

This new finance goal aims to channel greater funds toward urgently needed climate action in developing countries.

Speaking at the Bonn conference, UN climate chief Simon Stiell warned that without international cooperation, global temperatures could rise up to 5 degrees, a level of warming most of humanity likely could not survive. 

Currently, we are headed for around 2.7 degrees, which is still dangerously high. 

Stiell emphasized that while there is a long and steep road ahead to achieve the shared goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, progress is being made.

Joeri Rogelj, a climate science and policy professor at Imperial College London, highlighted that the relentless emissions of carbon dioxide combined with the exceptional warming of the past year have significantly reduced the 1.5°C budget. 

He stressed that significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions over the next 5 to 10 years is crucial to prevent the planet from warming by another quarter of a degree by 2035.

The findings of this report underscore the urgency of taking immediate and substantial action to combat climate change. 

As global temperatures continue to rise, it is clear that we must intensify our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and work together to protect our planet for future generations.