Topic: World Meteorological Organization

Energy Voices
UN: 2012 was one of the hottest years ever

Climate Change Conference-goers in Doha learned Wednesday that 2012 will go down as one of the hottest years on record. A provisional statement by the UN warns of rising temperatures and melting ice.

Why greenhouse gases hit record high in 2011

Carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activities, reached 390.9 parts per million last year, or 40 percent above the pre-industrial level, the World Meteorological Organization said. It cited fossil fuel as the primary source.

Death Valley, Calif. officially recognized as world's hottest spot

The World Meteorological Organization says the title comes after it investigated a long-held record from El Azizia, Libya, and found that an inexperienced weather observer recorded the temperature incorrectly.

New findings overturn Libya temperature record

An analysis of what had been for 90 years the hottest recorded temperature, in El Azizia, Libya in 1922, found serious flaws in how the heat was measured. The World Meteorological Organization has now handed the title back to Death Valley, in July 1913.

Past decade's extreme weather is manmade, new study suggests

Extreme rainfall and heatwaves over the past decade have been linked to global warming in a new Nature Climate Change study. The relationship between storms and warming is less clear.

Climate change: 2011 temperatures the hottest ever during La Nina

Climate change studies show rising global temperatures – the 10th highest ever – and shrinking ice caps. This year saw the lowest volume of Arctic sea ice ever recorded, due to global warming, say scientists.

China: Economic woes no excuse for climate change inaction

Ahead of major climate change talks in Durban, South Africa, China's top climate official said that economic turmoil in the West should not get in the way of fighting global warming. 

Greenhouse gas concentrations reach record levels, will linger for decades, new report finds

A report from the United Nations' weather agency, the World Meteorological Organization, found that greenhouse gases are more prevalent in our atmosphere than at any time since the Industrial Revolution.

Tropical storm Katia strengthens to hurricane; too early to talk threat

Tropical storm Katia now a hurricane: The National Hurricane Center in Miami cautioned the public — still recovering along parts of the East Coast from Irene — not to stress over the storm.

What's causing the Australia flooding

The Australia flooding is partly a result of the La Niña weather pattern, which cools surface ocean temperatures and usually brings increased precipitation to eastern Australia.

Global weather: 2010 in running to be warmest year on record

If November and December temperatures stay relatively warm, 2010 could capture the record for warmest year, an early analysis shows. This year has also been marked by extreme weather events.

Europe snow storm death toll reaches 39

Europe snow: In many parts of Europe, train services continued to see heavy disruptions, but air traffic was returning to normal in many places.

Russia fires caused by global warming? Maybe not, say scientists.

The Kremlin's top meteorologist said that Russia's recent spate of extreme weather and wildfires 'are signs of global warming.' That's not quite right, say climate scientists.

As Climate Change debate wages on, scientists turn to Hollywood for help

Politicians and the public question global climate change evidence, so scientists look to Hollywood and websites for a new voice. Lights, camera, science!

Global warming study: Hurricanes and typhoons to become more intense

An increasing proportion of storms are likely to hit the highest levels of intensity because of the projected effects of global warming, an international team of scientists concludes in the journal Nature Geoscience.

Bright Green
It's cold outside. What happened to global warming?

The brutal cold snap that has put much of the Northern Hemisphere on ice this week doesn't disprove global warming or mean we're off the hook for greenhouse emissions.

Global warming talks inch toward accord - 'adaptation' cash a sore point

At the Copenhagen global warming talks, high-level delegations have arrived to kick negotiations into high gear. But the question of money to help poorer nations grapple with the effects of climate change remains a sticking point.

Global warming talks spark friction between US and China

After the first week of global warming talks in Copenhagen, disagreements between nations are still evident, particularly between industrial heavyweights the US and China.

Global News Blog
Climate change: Scientists say this decade likely hottest on record

At Copenhagen climate change talks, a research group says this decade is likely to prove the hottest on record.

Global News Blog
Was Air France flight brought down by turbulence or hail?

100 m.p.h. winds, hail, and rain might have brought Flight 447 down, says a former Air Force meteorologist.

Discoveries
Wind-powered car sets speed record, but gimme a wind wagon any day

Bright Green
How hot was 2008?

It was the coldest year since 2000, yet one of the 10 hottest years on record.

Bright Green
What's with all the hurricanes?

We can't say for sure that it's global warming.

Gore launches climate change ad campaign

Too few people are changing their lifestyles, environmentalists say, and too few politicians are acting.