Glaciers shrank 1m a year in a decade: WMO

Glaciers shrank 1m a year in a decade: WMO

Subject: Environment

Section: Climate Change

Context:

• The 2011-2020 decade, though the warmest ever recorded in history, saw the lowest number of deaths from extreme events, said a report from the World Meteorological Organisation.

Details:

• Report title- The Global Climate 2011-2020: A Decade of Acceleration
• Released by- WMO
• Key findings:
  • Heatwaves were responsible for the highest number of human casualties, while tropical cyclones caused the most economic damage.
  • The 2011-2020 decade was the first since 1950 when there was not a single short-term event with 10,000 deaths or more.
  • This is due to the improvement in the “early warning system” driven by improvements in forecasting and better disaster management.
  • In India, improvements in forecasting cyclone formation and the time it takes to reach land have led to greater preparedness and evacuation of those most at risk.
  • This was the first decade that the depleted ozone hole visibly showed recovery.
  • Glaciers that were measured around the world thinned by approximately 1 metre per year on average between 2011 and 2020.
  • Greenland and Antarctica lost 38% more ice during the period than during the 2001-2010 period.
  • Public and private climate finance almost doubled during the period. However, it needed to increase at least seven times by the end of this decade to achieve climate objectives.

Source: The Hindu