UK Research Team Analysis: Global Warming Accelerating Unprecedentedly
Scientists worldwide are raising their voices that greenhouse gas emissions are reaching record highs every year. They warned that global warming is rapidly progressing, with the Earth's temperature rising by more than 0.2 degrees over the past decade.
On the 8th, over 50 leading scientists from around the world revealed major changes in key warming-related indicators in the scientific journal Earth System Science Data.
According to the analysis by a research team led by Professor Pierce Foster of the University of Leeds in the UK, the Earth's greenhouse gas emissions have continuously set new annual records. Consequently, the pace of global warming is accelerating unprecedentedly.
▲The glaciers in West Antarctica are melting due to global warming. [Photo by NASA]
The global average annual greenhouse gas emissions from 2010 to 2019 were 53 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent (GtCO₂e = 5.3 billion tons). From 2012 to 2021, this increased to 54 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent. This means that 1,700 tons of carbon dioxide are emitted every second.
The rise in Earth's temperature also increased from 1.07 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels during 2010?2019 (IPCC Sixth Assessment Report) to 1.14 degrees Celsius during 2013?2022. Scientists unanimously emphasize that this level of temperature increase is occurring at an unprecedented rate.
Regarding these research findings, the team stated that the purpose is to raise awareness ahead of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) to be held this December. At the upcoming conference, global climate experts will gather in the United Arab Emirates to reassess efforts to curb global warming.
The research team also pointed out that while the United Nations IPCC is the most authoritative source of scientific information on the current climate state, there is an information gap due to rapidly changing climate indicators. Accordingly, centered at the University of Leeds, they announced the launch of an open science platform to update key climate indicator information annually.
The director of the Priestley Climate Futures Centre at the University of Leeds said, "The next 10 years are crucial for climate change," adding, "Decisions made now will have a significant impact on temperature rise." He continued, "We must respond swiftly to climate change," emphasizing, "Policies and approaches must be adjusted according to the latest evidence on the state of the climate system. Time is no longer on our side."
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