United in Science 2021

In news– United in Science report published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) revealed that the CO2 emissions bounced back to pre-pandemic levels.

About the report-

The report was jointly sponsored by the WMO/Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO/International Science Council (ISC) and World Climate Research Programme (WCRP).

The report provides details on:

Greenhouse Gas Concentrations in the Atmosphere (WMO)
Global greenhouse gas emissions and budgets (Global Carbon Project)
Emissions Gap (UN Environment Programme)
Global Climate in 2017-2021 and 2021-2025 (WMO, UK Met Office)
Highlights of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report – the Physical Science basis
Sea level rise and coastal impacts (World Climate Research Programme)
Heatwaves, wildfires and air pollution (World Health Organization/WMO)

Key findings-

Human-induced climate change is already increasing the frequency and intensity of many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe.
COVID-19 infections and climate hazards such as heatwaves, wildfires and poor air quality combine to threaten human health worldwide, putting vulnerable populations at particular risk.

Global mean sea levels rose 20 cm from 1900 to 2018 and at an accelerated rate of 3.7+0.5 mm/yr from 2006 to 2018.
Even if emissions are reduced to limit warming to well below 2 °C, global mean sea level would likely rise 0.3–0.6 m by 2100 and could rise by 0.3–3.1 m by 2300 (relative to 1995-2014).

Annual global mean near-surface temperature is likely to be at least 1 °C warmer than pre-industrial levels (defined as the 1850–1900 average) in each of the coming five years and is very likely to be within the range 0.9 °C to 1.8 °C.
Over 2021–2025, high latitude regions and the Sahel are likely to be wetter than the recent past.

The COVID-19 crisis offers only a short-term reduction in global emissions and will not significantly reduce emissions by 2030 unless countries pursue an economic recovery that incorporates strong decarbonization.
The increasing number of countries committing to net-zero emission goals is encouraging, with about 63% of global emissions now covered by such goals.