WMO statement on the status of the global climate in 2001
WMO
2002 World Meteorological Organization, WMO-No. 940
WMO, (2002), "WMO statement on the status of the global climate in 2001", World Meteorological Organization, WMO-No. 940.
Abstract:
FOREWORD Since 1993, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in cooperation with its Members, has issued annual statements on the status of the global climate. This year's statement describes the climatic conditions, including extreme weather events, for the year 2001 and provides a historical perspective on the variability and trends that have occurred since the nineteenth century. The statements complement the periodic assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which provide valuable input to discussions leading up to, and during, the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002. The Summit will review the implementation of the agreements of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, in particular of Agenda 21. It will also identify new issues that have emerged since UNCED and determine where we need to refocus further efforts. The information contained in this statement enhances the scientific understanding of the changes in the Earth's climate and the associated impacts that have occurred in the past, making it possible to improve on our projections of what may occur in the future. Through continuing research and the collection of consistent and complete observations by WMO and its Members, progress towards an even better understanding of the Earth's climate system is possible. The year 2001 marked the end of the long-running La Ni?a episode that began in mid-1998. Prolonged drought, at least partly attributable to this cold episode, occurred in southern central Asia, parts of Africa and the Gulf Coast of the United States, affecting millions of people over the past three to four years. As indications of the next El Ni?o episode develop, the analyses of past warm episodes will provide a strong basis for an improved awareness of the type of climate extremes and impacts that may lie ahead. WMO is committed to lead, therefore, not only in providing the basis for early warnings of extreme weather and climate events, but also in assessing their effects and consequences as they occur.
The warming in the equatorial Pacific due to the dissipating La Ni?a contributed to making the 2001 global mean temperature the second warmest on record. In the northern hemisphere extratropics it was the warmest year since global observations began in 1861, and the temperature in the southern hemisphere extratropics was as warm as any previously measured. The global mean temperature has increased at a rate of 0.6ˇăC per century since 1900; since 1976, temperatures have risen approximately three times faster. The variability attributable to natural climate processes and phenomena such as the El Ni?o/Southern Oscillation, as well as to the effects of a warming climate that has a significant anthropogenic component, results in numerous weather- and climate-related disasters each year. Adequate preparation and response to these events require improved observing systems and active climate monitoring and research programmes to support Governments and world decision makers in industry and commerce in determining the right responses to enormously challenging problems. WMO remains committed to providing the lead in ensuring that this essential support is available, including the basic infrastructure on which it depends. (G. O. P. Obasi) Secretary-General
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