Scientists report that 2023 is on track to become the hottest year ever recorded, posing a significant challenge to the Paris Agreement’s climate targets. The global average temperatures from January to October have reached unprecedented highs, with extreme heat in October pushing annual averages to critical levels.
According to World Economic Forum, global temperatures in October soared 1.7°C above the pre-industrial average, marking it as the warmest October since records began. “October 2023 has seen exceptional temperature anomalies,” said Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service. She emphasized the urgency for climate action as the year’s average temperature currently stands 1.43ºC above the preindustrial average.
In related news, a new study published in Plos One suggests that two million species, including vertebrates, plants, and insects, are at risk of extinction. This figure is double the number estimated by the United Nations in 2019. The study, focusing on European species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, found that one-fifth of all European species could face extinction, with invertebrates and plants being particularly vulnerable.
Axel Hochkirch, the lead researcher from the Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle in Luxembourg, highlighted the critical role of insects in ecosystems, emphasizing the need for their conservation.
Other significant climate and nature stories this week include:
The UN Environment Programme reports that fossil fuel production in 2030 may exceed levels compatible with the Paris Agreement climate targets.
UK forests face potential ecosystem collapse within 50 years due to the climate crisis, as stated in a study by Forestry England and the University of Cambridge.
New Delhi, the world’s most polluted capital, is considering cloud seeding to mitigate air quality issues.
The US and China have reached agreements on climate crisis actions ahead of COP28.
Severe flooding in Somalia and neighboring countries displaces hundreds of thousands, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warning of widespread impacts.
Colombia reports a 70% drop in Amazon deforestation in 2023, but drought conditions could lead to increased tree loss.
Lake Titicaca faces record-low water levels due to high temperatures and drought, as reported by Peru’s Senamhi.
Further insights into the nature and climate crisis are available on Agenda, including discussions on ecological restoration in the Amazon, the decline of coral reefs, and the Earthshot Prize, which supports sustainability-focused start-ups.