2020 could be second-hottest year on record: WMO

The year 2020 earned itself yet another dubious distinction. It is likely to be the world’s second-hottest year on record, just behind 2016, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The global mean temperature was 1.2°C above the 1850-1900 baseline, which is marginally more than 2019, the WMO said. The year has seen extreme heat and wildfires rage across the US, Australia and Siberia. The WMO said more than 80% of the world’s oceans also experienced a marine heatwave.  

India likely to face colder than normal winter: IMD

After an above-average monsoon season, India is bracing itself for a winter that is likely to be colder than normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) made the prediction as part of its seasonal outlook for temperatures. It did not, however, specify which parts of the country will experience extreme weather or cold waves. According to experts, a likely reason for this could be La Niña conditions in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean that brings in cold air into India from Siberia and South China.  

Cost of planting, preserving trees for climate mitigation could rise quickly: Study

While the planting of trees and deforestation prevention are considered to be important first steps in climate change mitigation. A new study, however, found that the cost of planting and preserving trees could accelerate quickly, especially under ambitious emission reduction plans. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that by 2055, it will cost $393 billion per year to pay landowners to plant and preserve trees in order to attain the more than 10% emission reductions that are needed in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The researchers arrived at this figure using a price model called the Global Timber Model.

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