If you want the latest global climate statistics, here they are.
Last year was the ninth warmest on record, says the World Meteorological Organisation’s statement on global climate for 2012. At 0.45°C above the 1961-90 average, it’s the 27th consecutive year above the long term average global average temperature.
There’s just one year – 1998 – that interrupts the years from 2001 being the hottest we’ve had. The pattern of succeeding decades being warmer is apparent.from the graph, especially given the natural variability caused by the El Niño cycle, volcanic eruptions and other phenomena.
The years 2001 to 2012 were among the warmest 13 on record. A strong El Nino in 1998 made it an exceptionally warm year. Source: WMO Annual statement on the Status of the Global Climate in 2012
Globally, rainfall was slightly higher in 2012 than the 1961-90 average. But this overall average hides drier weather over much of the central United States, northern Mexico, northeastern Brazil, central Russia, and south-central Australia. In contrast, northern Europe, western Africa, north-central Argentina, western Alaska, and most of northern China saw wetter than average conditions.
2012 was also a year of extremes. While the United States and south-east Europe experienced extreme drought, west Africa and Pakistan were hit by extreme flooding. Europe, northern Africa and Asia were affected by extreme cold and snow.
The report also shows how Arctic sea ice is diminishing rapidly, reaching a record low with 18% less summer ice than the previous low point in 2007, 3.41 million square kilometres, compared to 4.17 million square kilometres.
Arctic sea ice in 2012 - and the next lowest extent in 2007 - compared to the 1979 to 2000 average. Source: WMO annual statement on the Status of the Global Climate in 2012.
Melting occurred over 97% of Greenland’s ice sheet in July 2012, the highest level in the 34-year satellite record. And whilst there was a slight increase in Antarctic sea ice Antarctica overall, like Greenland, is losing ice mass overall.
It’s pretty clear that something is happening, don’t you think?