2016 May Become The World's Warmest Year

As 2016 is about to end, it is set to be the warmest year ever recorded across the globe, beating 2015's recorded temperatures, a U.N. agency reports.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said that its scientists are 90 percent sure that 2016 will surpass the temperatures recorded last year. Recorded temperatures from January to September were 1.2 degrees Celcius above pre-industrial levels.

Even though El Nino has created a great impact on the increased temperatures this year, one of the most significant factors that boosts temperatures is still carbon emissions.

WMO released the provisional statement this year to inform world leaders and negotiators in the United Nations Climate Change conference held in Morocco.

"Another year. Another record. The high temperatures we saw in 2015 are set to be beaten in 2016," WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said in a WMO press release.

"The extra heat from the powerful El Niño event has disappeared. The heat from global warming will continue," he added.

Climate Change And Increasing Global Temperatures

The agency said, as reported by BBC, that the temperature from January to September was 0.88 above the average for the period between 1961 and 1990, which was used as a baseline by WMO. On the other hand, in the same period last year, the temperature was 0.77 above the average.

According to WMO, the agency is working on improving greenhouse gas emission monitoring to help countries curb and stem them. With better predictions of climate and temperatures, these will help important sectors to plan and adapt to the future.

Oceans

One of the areas across the globe most affected by increasing temperatures are the oceans. The WMO found that temperatures in were above normal in most ocean areas, leading to various problems like significant coral bleaching and alteration of marine ecosystems.

Glaciers And Ice Covers

Apart from increasing temperatures in oceans, the Arctic sea ice was below normal this year. In September, the seasonal minimum recorded was 4.14 million square kilometers.

"Because of climate change, the occurrence and impact of extreme events has risen. 'Once in a generation' heatwaves and flooding are becoming more regular. Sea level rise has increased exposure to storm surges associated with tropical cyclones," Taalas said.