The state of the global climate in 2023: a recap

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Earth.Org or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: 2023 was marked by extreme weather events, including severe droughts across Europe, the US, and China, catastrophic wildfires globally, and devastating storms 
• The European Drought Observatory described the European droughts as the worst in at least 500 years 
• Meanwhile, the US and Brazil faced significant drought challenges, impacting both ecosystems and human livelihoods

🔭 The context: The year witnessed persistent heatwaves and drought conditions, leading to drastic impacts such as rising olive oil prices in Spain due to crop failures, extreme fire dangers across the Iberian Peninsula and Maghreb region, and record-low water levels in major rivers like the Rhine and the UK's rivers
• These climate events are not isolated phenomena but part of a broader, escalating climate crisis

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The COP28 Global Drought Snapshot 2023 highlighted the widespread effect of drought on ecosystems, economies, and human lives, emphasizing the need for global resilience and cooperation 
• Additionally, ocean temperatures saw a significant rise, threatening marine biodiversity and ecosystems

⏭️ What's next: The year's climate agenda, including the COP28 Global Stocktake, the EU’s Clean Energy Report, and the G20 New Delhi Summit, focused on commitments to renewable energy, climate finance, and adaptation strategies 
• However, the failure to agree on fossil fuel phase-out at the G20 Summit underscores the challenges ahead

💬 One quote: "The crisis underscored the fragile connection between human activities and the surge in wildfires" (Orkhan Huseynli, author)

📈 One stat: Olive oil prices surged about 60% due to extreme temperatures affecting crops in Europe

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