The World Meteorological Organization’s report on the state of the global climate in 2019 highlights concerning trends, including increasing land and ocean heat, sea level rise, and melting ice, with significant impacts on various aspects of society. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns that the world is far from meeting the targets set by the Paris Agreement, with 2019 being the second warmest year on record and the past decade being the warmest. WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas predicts a new global temperature record within the next five years due to continuing greenhouse gas emissions. While there are positive signs of awareness and action on climate change, Taalas emphasizes the need for all countries to fulfill their commitments and increase ambition levels to mitigate climate change effectively.
