2010 one of hottest on record COP 16 told

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has released data at the Climate Change Conference confirming that 2010 was one of the hottest years globally on record.


Record temperatures were recorded in 17 countries including Russia, China, Pakistan and North Africa.

This year will be in the top three of the warmest years since 1850. Whether it is the hottest on record will be revealed when data for November and December is available early next year.

The WMO underlined the message that the rise in temperatures was man-made and highlighted extreme weather around the globe: the Pakistan floods and drought in the Amazon.

WMO director general, Michel Jarraud said: “These are the facts. If nothing is done the curve will go up and up and up.

“If we continue this trend the heatwave in Europe in 2003 will not be exceptional. It will be on the cool side. This is what will happen.”

In the UK, the effect of La Nina is expected to make 2011 cooler than this year, but still above average. The warmest 10 years in the UK have all been since 1996.

Alison Brown

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