Rising global temperature shows ‘enormous challenge’ of meeting climate goal

8 July 2020

Climate Change  UN

Annual global temperature is likely to be at least 1°C warmer than pre-industrial levels in each of the coming five years, putting globally agreed climate change targets in jeopardy, new data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reveals.

pre-industrial：前工业社会，前工业

jeopardy n. /ˈdʒepədi/  IN ˈJEOPARDY：处于危险境地；受到威胁

meteorological /ˌmiːtɪərəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/气象学的

WMO：世界气象组织(World Meteorological Organization)

The prediction is among the findings in the UN agency’s latest Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update, released on Thursday in Geneva, which also shows that temperature could exceed 1.5°C in at least one year between now and 2024.

Decadal /'dekədəl/：十的，十年间的      Geneva /dʒi'ni:və/ 日内瓦

The Earth’s average temperature has already risen beyond 1°C above the pre-industrial period, which spans 1850-1900, while the last five years have been the warmest on record.

“This study shows – with a high level of scientific skill – the enormous challenge ahead in meeting the Paris Agreement on Climate Change target of keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius”, said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

Celsius adj. /ˈselsiəs/摄氏的

No substitute for action

The latest predictions take into account natural variations and human influences on climate but exclude changes in greenhouse gas emissions and aerosols resulting from lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic.

natural variations：自然变化    greenhouse gas：温室气体

exclude v. /ɪkˈskluːd/

1. ~ sth (from sth) to deliberately not include sth in what you are doing or considering 不包括；不放在考虑之列

2. ~ sb/sth (from sth) to prevent sb/sth from entering a place or taking part in sth 防止…进入；阻止…参加；把…排斥在外

3. to decide that sth is not possible 排除（…的可能性）；认为…不可能

aerosol n. /ˈeərəsɒl/ （喷油漆、头发定型剂等的）喷雾器，雾化器；气雾剂； 气溶胶

WMO explained that the slowdown in industrial and economic activity due to the pandemic is not a substitute for sustained and coordinated climate action.

“Due to the very long lifetime of CO2 in the atmosphere, the impact of the drop in emissions this year is not expected to lead to a reduction of CO2 atmospheric concentrations which are driving global temperature increases”, said Mr. Taalas.

“Whilst COVID-19 has caused a severe international health and economic crisis, failure to tackle climate change may threaten human well-being, ecosystems and economies for centuries, Governments should use the opportunity to embrace climate action as part of recovery programmes and ensure that we grow back better.”

Whilst/waɪlst/  conj. 当……的时候；与……同时；然而；虽然，尽管；直到……为止（等于 while）adv. 在……时候（等于 while）

Harnessing international expertise

The Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update is led by the United Kingdom’s Met Office.

It harnesses the expertise of internationally acclaimed climate scientists and the best computer models from leading climate centres around the world.

WMO explained that combining forecasts from across the globe enables a higher quality product than what can be obtained from any single source.

harness /ˈhɑːnɪs/ 1.V-T If you harness something such as an emotion or natural source of energy, you bring it under your control and use it. 利用2.背带; 安全带3.马具; 挽具4. 给…套上挽具

acclaim /əˈkleɪm/

1.V-T If someone or something is acclaimed, they are praised enthusiastically. 热烈称赞

• He was acclaimed as America's greatest filmmaker. 他被赞誉为美国最伟大的电影制片人。

2.ADJ 受到高度赞扬的 3.N-UNCOUNT Acclaim is public praise for someone or something. 赞扬

 

原文链接：https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/07/1067991