Earth May Briefly Hit Key Warming Threshold, UN Forecasts

"There’s a two-out-of-three chance that the world will temporarily hit a key warming limit within the next five years, the United Nations weather agency said Wednesday.

But it likely would only be a fleeting and less worrisome flirtation with the internationally agreed upon temperature threshold. Scientists expect a temporary burst of heat from El Nino — a naturally-occurring weather phenomenon — to supercharge human-caused warming from the burning of coal, oil and gas to new heights. Temperatures are expected to then slip back down a bit.

The World Meteorological Organization forecasts a 66% likelihood that between now and 2027, the globe will have a year that averages 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the mid 19th century."

Seth Borenstein reports for the Associated Press May 16, 2023.

SEE ALSO:

"Heat Will Likely Soar to Record Levels in Next 5 Years, New Analysis Says" (New York Times)

 

Source: AP, 05/18/2023