The last four years were the hottest since global temperature records began, the U.N. confirmed on February 6 in an analysis that it said was a “clear sign of continuing long-term climate change”. 2016, boosted by a strong El Nino that normally tips the mercury northwards, remains the hottest year on record. The WMO also said that the 20 warmest years in history all occurred within the last 22 years. The U.N. body also said that 2019 had picked up where 2018 left off, with Australia experiencing its warmest January on record. “What happens at the poles does not stay at the poles but influences weather and climate conditions in lower latitudes where hundreds of millions of people live.”

Source: The Hindu February 06, 2019 17:15 UTC