This year is set to be among the 3 warmest years since records began in 1850, capping off a record-warm decade based on figures released at the Cancun Climate Summit. According to Michel Jarraud, head of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this is evidence of human emissions of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels were warming the climate.

The previous top 2 years were 1998 and 2005, although if December proves to be a cool month it could slip down the list. A final ranking will be published in early 2011. Higher global temperatures will lead to more floods, droughts, desertification and rising sea levels.

Here’s some numbers and facts:
Temperatures have already risen by about 0.8 degree C since pre-industrial times.

The Met Office figures estimate 2010 has been 0.94F (0.52C) hotter than the 57.2F (14C) average from 1961 to 1990.

The UK has had its coldest year since 2010. The fastest warming has been in the Arctic, Africa and Southern Asia, while northern Europe, America and Asia have all had cooler years.

Warming patterns are consistent with cold weather in the the UK because the overall pattern is still warmer winters.

Next year is expected to be just 0.82F (0.44C) hotter.

Src: reuters.com
telegraph.co.uk

Does this data lead you to agree the world is getting warmer? Did you already agree?