WMO

Subject : Environment

Section: International convention and organisation

Context:

Around 15,000 deaths caused in Europe in 2022 due to heat: What the new World Meteorological Organisation report says

2022 Heatwaves in Europe

The United Kingdom experienced 40-plus degree Celsius heat for the first time ever.
Ireland had its highest temperature since 1887. Hamburg, in Germany, became the most northern part of the country to ever record 40 degree Celsius temperature. Even Sweden, one of the coldest countries, recorded temperatures in excess of 37 degree Celsius last year.
During the summer, around 4,600 deaths in Spain, 4,500 in Germany, 2,800 in the United Kingdom (among those aged 65 and older), 2,800 in France and 1,000 in Portugal were associated with the unusual heat.

Heatwave:

A heatwave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, a common phenomenon in India during the months of May-June and in some rare cases even extends till July.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies heat waves according to regions and their temperature ranges.As per IMD, the number of heatwave days in India has increased from 413 over 1981-1990 to 600 over 2011-2020.
Criteria for declaring the heatwave:
The Heatwave is considered when the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C for Plains and at least 30°C for Hilly regions.
If the normal maximum temperature of a station is less than or equal to 40°C, then an increase of 5°C to 6°C from the normal temperature is considered to be heat wave condition.
- Further, an increase of 7°C or more from the normal temperature is considered a severe heat wave condition.
If the normal maximum temperature of a station is more than 40°C, then an increase of 4°C to 5°C from the normal temperature is considered to be heat wave condition. Further, an increase of 6°C or more is considered a severe heat wave condition.
Additionally, if the actual maximum temperature remains 45°C or more irrespective of normal maximum temperature, a heat wave is declared.

WMO observations:

On average, global temperature in 2022 was 1.15 degree Celsius higher than pre-industrial times, which is the average of the 1850-1900 period.
This happened despite the prevalence of a strong La Nina event which is known to have an overall cooling impact on the planet.
Rise in GHG emissions and concentrations:
The three main greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – responsible for global warming, were all at record high in 2021.
Carbon dioxide concentrations in atmosphere now exceed 415 parts per million.
The concentrations of methane, less prevalent but more damaging than carbon dioxide, increased to 1908 parts per billion in 2021. The increase of 18 ppb between 2020 and 2021 was the highest annual rise ever.
Displacement due to climate change:
About 95 million people across the world had already suffered displacement because of climate change reasons.
Most people displaced in climate- or weather-related events remained within the territories where they resided, while in some situations people were forced to flee across international borders in search of safety and assistance.

Status of heatwaves in previous years:

The warmest year on record so far has been 2016 when average global temperatures were measured to be 1.28 degree Celsius higher than pre-industrial times, not very far away from the 1.5 degree Celsius milestone, which is the world is aiming to avoid.
The years 2015 to 2022 have been the eight warmest years in the 173 years of direct record keeping.
The year 2022 would be fifth or sixth on that list of warmest years.