Global warming trends prove 'enormous challenge' of meeting Paris climate goals - WMO

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Thursday that the global temperatures will continue to warm over the next five years and may even temporarily rise to more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. WMO Secretary General said, there was a 20% chance that average annual temperatures, which fluctuate from year to year, could hit the 1.5C mark in any year between 2020 and 2024.

Southern Africa and Australia will probably be dryer than usual through 2024, while Africa's Sahel region will likely be wetter. Europe could see more storms, while the northern North Atlantic will be windier. The carbon dioxide emission have dropped 4 to 7 per cent due to lockdowns. However, the world will probably not reach the long-term 1.5C warming threshold for at least another decade.