11 January 2022.
Introduction:
Recently a report was made public by Copernicus Climate Change Service, which is a European Union programme. The report found that, 2021 was the fifth-hottest year on the Earth.
Highlights:
- As per report, last seven years have been the warmest on record. 2021 was ranked fifth among those 12-month spans because of continued rise in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Scientists warn that, rise in greenhouse gas emissions could propel the Earth to suffering irreversible damage.
- Report found that, mean global temperature was between 1.1 to 1.2 degrees Celsius higher in 2021, as compared to pre-industrial levels. The temperature was in the range of 2 to 2.2 degrees.
- Scientists note that, average temperature rise surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius could result into permanent damage to the Earth and have huge detrimental environmental impacts.
Hottest summer in Europe
2021 was another year of extreme temperatures and hottest summer in Europe. There were unprecedented high temperatures in North America and heatwaves in the Mediterranean. In Europe, devastating floods were observed, fuelled by heavy rainfall. Sicily, in Italy, experienced the hottest temperatures in recorded history in Europe.
Scenario in North America
Several regions in North America and Northeast Canada experienced temperature anomalies in 2021. Temperatures were atypically warm during the beginning of the year as well as during the fall. For North America, heatwave caused June to be the warmest on record.
What does satellite data show?
- Preliminary satellite data showed carbon dioxide emissions continued to rise in 2021. The carbon dioxide emissions come from a wide source including burning of fossil fuels. However, the rising rate increase was slightly less as compared to recent years.
- Levels of methane, which is second-most prevalent greenhouse gas, also increased considerably in 2021.