| 2000-2009 Hottest Decade on Record | 22 December 09 |
 The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced during Copenhagen climate negotiations that 2009 is the 5th warmest year and 2000-2009 has been the warmest decade on record since 1850. The land and sea surface temperatures for this decade average nearly 0.2°C above the 1990s and a 0.34°C increase from 1980s.In 2009 above normal temperatures were recorded in most parts of all the continents. Only Canada and the United States experienced cooler than average temperatures. Many countries experienced climate extremes including flooding, drought, heat waves and coldsnaps. The extent of Artic Sea ice was the third lowest ever recorded (1st and 2nd being in 2007 and 2008). This information is based on three sets of data maintained independently by Hadley Center and East Anglia University Climate Research Unit in the UK, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the US, and the Goddard Institute of Space Studies in the US. All show the same results. View December 8, 2009 World Meteorological Organization press releaseView December 7, 2009 Climate Progress press release View December 9, 2009 Globe and Mail press release View January 15, 2010 report, If It's That Warm, How Come It's So Damned Cold? (PDF) Sources: WMO, Climate Progress |
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