Study finds global warming has accelerated significantly since 2015

PARIS: Global warming has seen a marked acceleration since 2015, according to a recent study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). The findings, published by PIK, indicate that the rate of global temperature increase over the past decade is now higher than at any other time since instrumental records began in 1880.

The study analyzed observational climate data from NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Berkeley Earth, a California-based non-profit research organization. According to the research, “over the past 10 years, the estimated warming rate has been around 0.35°C per decade, depending on the dataset, compared with just under 0.2°C per decade on average from 1970 to 2015.” The study further stated, “This recent rate is higher than in any previous decade since the beginning of instrumental records in 1880.”

To ensure the accuracy of their findings, the researchers accounted for and filtered out natural influences that could obscure the underlying temperature trend. These included the El Niño phenomenon, volcanic eruptions, and variations in solar activity. Study co-author Grant Foster explained, “the ‘noise’ is reduced, making the underlying trend clearer.”

The research underscores the increasing pace of global warming in recent years, highlighting the significance of the trend since 2015. The acceleration is described as “statistically significant” by the study authors, based on the comprehensive analysis of multiple independent datasets.

This latest assessment adds to the growing body of scientific evidence pointing to the urgent need for global action to address climate change. The findings are expected to inform ongoing discussions and policy decisions regarding climate mitigation and adaptation strategies worldwide.