WMO: Accelerating climate change impacts in 2018

Sea level rise, shrinking sea ice, glacier retreat and extreme events such as heat waves and floods. These are some climate change impacts seen in 2018.

Kuva: Jorma Leskelä

The physical signs and socio-economic impacts of climate change are accelerating as record greenhouse gas concentrations drive global temperatures towards increasingly dangerous levels, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization.

The WMO Statement on the State of the Global Climate in 2018 highlights record sea level rise, as well as exceptionally high land and ocean temperatures over the past four years. This warming trend has lasted since the start of this century and is expected to continue.

Last year was the fourth warmest year on record, and the past four years were the warmest on record.

Further information:

WMO State of the Global Climate in 2018 report

Story map featuring the Climate statement

Weather and Climate events 2018 interactive map