Not-So-Scary Truth About Climate Change
TownhallDEC 20 2023
A UN body has said the year 2023 — the hottest on record as global temperatures rose 1.2°C above average (1951-1980 period) — was the driest in over 30 years for rivers.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report also stated that last year glaciers worldwide lost more mass than they did in at least five decades.
Releasing the report Monday, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said "we receive distress signals" of climate change like extreme rain, flood, and drought.
The worst-ever drying up of the world's rivers in three decades in 2023 left far-reaching effects on both ecosystems and human life, including reduced availability of potable water, power generation, and agricultural output. It also caused shipping delays and raised food costs. As rivers shrink, ecosystems are thrown off balance, threatening biodiversity and livelihoods. The crisis highlights the urgent need for climate action to safeguard the planet’s resources.