adminStatement on the Status of the Global Climate said that the global land and ocean surface temperature in 2012 was estimated to be 0.45 degrees Celsius above the 1961-1990 average of 14.0 degrees.
This was the ninth warmest year since records began in 1850 and the 27th consecutive year that the global land and ocean temperatures were above the 1961-1990 average, according to the statement.
It said that during 2012, above-average temperatures were observed across most of the globe’s land surface areas, most notably North America, southern Europe, western Russia, parts of northern Africa and southern South America. WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said that although the rate of warming varies from year to year due to natural variability caused by the El Nino cycle, volcanic eruptions and other phenomena, the sustained warming of the lower atmosphere is a worrisome sign.
“The continued upward trend in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases and the consequent increased radioactive forcing of the Earth’s atmosphere confirm that the warming will continue,” he said. — Xinhua.
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