The American Meteorological Society has released the "State of the Climate 2013" report, which shows trends of global warming on Earth.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) were the lead editors of the climate report, which was compiled by 425 climate scientists from 57 countries across the globe. The report offers a thorough update on the indicators of global climate, important weather events as well as data accumulated by instruments and environmental monitoring stations on land, air, ice and sea.
Thomas Karl, director of NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, says that the climate of the world is changing at a faster rate than previously thought by scientists.
"If we look at it like we're trying to maintain an ideal weight, then we're continuing to see ourselves put more weight on from year to year," says Karl.
Climate scientists say that increasing greenhouse gases level like carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is one of the reasons responsible for climate change on the planet. The report highlights that carbon dioxide level in Earth's atmosphere recorded at Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii was at its highest at 400 parts per million (ppm). The carbon dioxide level is the highest ever recorded by scientists.
The report also confirms that most parts of the planet witnessed above average temperature in 2013. The climate report suggests that 2013 was the third warmest year since 1880, when climate records were first documented. The year 2010 is supposed to be the warmest year since 1880.
Surface temperature of the Earth's oceans have also experience an increase. 2013 was amongst the top 10 warmest years since 1880. Increase in ocean temperature and melting ice are responsible for the increase in water levels. Sea level increased by 0.15 inches, or 3.8 millimeters, in 2013, which is at par with the yearly trend of 0.13 inches, or 3.2 millimeters, as recorded in the last 20 years.
NOAA administrator Kathryn Sullivan says that the latest report reiterates the fact that our Earth is getting warmer. She says that the report will help the society, governments, businesses and individuals understand the impact of climate changes. The report is important as it will help them to develop services and tools to cope with climate changes in the near future.
View the full report to get details of climate changes in 2013.
