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Climate Change Reaches New Heights: WMO

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - Weather scientists said May was the warmestmonthon
   recordworldwide, withoneobserving stationreportingcarbon dioxide
   levelshitting a record high.

   The World Meteorological Organization warned thatwill have a major
   impact on biodiversity and nature as well as onpeople'ssocioeconomic
   development and well-being.

   Pandemic won't affect climate

   At the same time, lockdowns due to the COVID-19 virus have led to
   improvements in air quality and cleaner skies in many places. But WMO
   spokeswoman Clare Nullis said scientists agree the effects are
   temporary and the pandemic will not affect climate change in the long
   term.

   "The industrial and economic slowdown from COVID 19 is not a substitute
   for sustained and coordinated climate action to reduce greenhouse gas
   emissions," Nullis said."Unfortunatelycarbon dioxide concentrations
   measured at the Mauna Loa observing station in Hawaii reached a new
   record in May."

   TheWMO noted the atmospheric carbon dioxide measured at theobservatory
   is a seasonal peak, not a global average. Nevertheless, it said thatis
   indicative of the continuingincreaseincarbon dioxideconcentrations in
   the atmosphere.

   As a consequence ofrising concentrations of CO2,Nullissaid,
   temperatures are rising,with records set throughout the world in May.

   "The most above average temperatures were recorded over parts of
   Siberia where they were up to 10 degreesCelsiusabove average," Nullis
   said."That isabsolutely huge. It is breathtaking.Itshattered records."

   Records in Alaska, Antarctica

   Nullissaid temperaturerecordsalso were shattered in Alaska and
   Antarctica.

   TheWMO reportedmore than 90% of the excess energy fromincreased
   concentrations of greenhouse gasesgoes into the ocean. It said ocean
   heat is at record levelsand sea levelincreasescontinue unabated.

   Scientists seedeoxygenationalongside ocean warming and acidificationas
   a major threat to ocean ecosystemsand the well-being of people that
   depend on marine life.

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