WMO: The global temperature increase rate has been “remarkable” during the previous four decades, according to the preliminary summary. The global temperature has increased since 1971 at an average estimated rate of 0.166°C per decade compared to the average rate of 0.06 °C per decade computed over the full period 1881-2010.

World Meteorological Organization annual statement for 2011 — full report here

WMO annual statement confirms 2011 as 11th warmest on record

Climate change accelerated in 2001-2010, according to preliminary assessment

GENEVA, 23 MARCH 2012 (WMO) – The World Meteorological Organization’s Annual Statement on the Status of the Global Climate said that 2011 was the 11th warmest since records began in 1850. It confirmed preliminary findings that 2011 was the warmest year on record with a La Niña, which has a cooling influence. Globally-averaged temperatures in 2011 were estimated to be 0.40° Centigrade above the 1961-1990 annual average of 14°C.

Precipitation extremes, many of them associated with one of the strongest La Niña events of the last 60 years, had major impacts on the world. Significant flooding occurred on all continents, whilst major droughts affected parts of east Africa and North America. Arctic sea ice extent fell to near record-low levels. Global tropical cyclone activity was below average, but the United States had one of its most destructive tornado seasons on record.

The annual statement for 2011 was released for World Meteorological Day 23 March. In addition, WMO also announced preliminary findings of the soon to be released Decadal Global Climate Summary, showing that climate change accelerated in 2001-2010, which was the warmest decade ever recorded in all continents of the globe.

The rate of increase since 1971 has been “remarkable” according to the preliminary assessment. Atmospheric and oceanic phenomena such as La Niña events had a temporary cooling influence in some years but did not halt the overriding warming trend.

The “dramatic and continuing sea ice decline in the Arctic” was one of the most prominent features of the changing state of the climate during the decade, according to the preliminary findings. Global average precipitation was the second highest since 1901 and flooding was reported as the most frequent extreme event, it said.

The full report will be released later in the year following further analysis of data received from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and collaborating monitoring agencies. The decadal summary aims to increase understanding of our varying and changing climate from a longer-term perspective and complements WMO’s annual reports.

“This 2011 annual assessment confirms the findings of the previous WMO annual statements that climate change is happening now and is not some distant future threat. The world is warming because of human activities and this is resulting in far-reaching and potentially irreversible impacts on our Earth, atmosphere and oceans,” said WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud.

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by Kelly Vaughn, via Rocky Mountain Institute. On March 22, RMI sat down with Matthew Hamilton and Dana Dalla Betta of Aspen Ski Company (SkiCo) to discuss solar and energy efficiency.

Since its carbon reduction efforts began in the early 1990s, SkiCo has made strides toward achieving a 10 percent carbon emissions reduction by 2012 by investing heavily in energy efficiency and renewables,. Taking its sustainability practices beyond the mountain to the company’s hotels and other operations has provided a tremendous payback. SkiCo has already witnessed 10 percent energy reductions at the Little Nell and Limelight hotels, largely achieved by upgrading equipment and increasing the efficiency of snowmelt systems.

The next stage is to optimize SkiCo’s 250 buildings, equipment, and countless operations as one system that can be tuned to reduce energy use across the board, and be powered by clean, renewable sources.

“If it’s just one or two people in a company making a commitment to sustainable operations in one or two buildings, it won’t work. Reaching our goals requires a full company commitment,” said Hamilton. “Employee engagement is the biggest struggle. We’re improving in that area every day.”

This whole-systems approach has been a hallmark of RMI since it was co-founded by Amory Lovins almost 30 years ago. Since then, RMI has worked with companies worldwide to hedge against the risks of fossil fuel volatility and gain competitive advantage by pursuing efficiency and renewables.

“Recognizing the interconnections in the system allows businesses to make better investments than they would have if these decisions were made in isolation,” said [RMI solar experts Ned] Harvey. “Getting everyone from the boardroom to the factory floor to look for opportunities often hidden in these complex systems is difficult, and it doesn’t happen overnight. But your employees can be your biggest assets in achieving energy reduction goals and allowing your company’s sustainability efforts to evolve over time.”

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A cyber-penny for your thoughts.

By Mike Smith
From the Cartoonist Group.