Global warming is accompanied not only by rising air temperatures but also by critical changes in ecosystems. According to the WMO, the process affects heat accumulation in the oceans, sea-level rise, glacier retreat, and the reduction of freshwater supplies.
Temperature Records and the Impact of El Niño
The WMO report on the state of the global climate, published ahead of the opening of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey, notes unprecedented warming dynamics. Each of the last 12 years has ranked among the 12 warmest years in recorded history, with the last four years occupying the top four positions in the temperature rankings.
The average global surface temperature for the period from January to September 2026 exceeded the average pre-industrial level by approximately 1.47 degrees Celsius.
Experts warn that the temperature anomaly could increase by the end of the year. This is due to the influence of El Niño—a natural phenomenon caused by rising surface water temperatures in the equatorial zone of the Pacific Ocean. Forecasts suggest that by December, El Niño could become the strongest in recorded history.
Specialists emphasize that natural climate fluctuations are superimposed on the long-term trend of global warming caused by human activity and the rising concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. According to preliminary estimates, 2026 may also rank among the four hottest years in history.
Context
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is an international organization dedicated to climate monitoring. The UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) is being held in Antalya, Turkey.
