The World Meteorological Organisation has warned that 2016 was set to be the hottest year on record by a significant margin livescience.com said.
WMO scientists told diplomats gathered in Marrakech, Morocco, for the November 7–18 United Nations COP22 climate talks that temperatures are 1.2˚C above pre-industrial times.
This information came as nearly 400 civil society groups and individuals from more than 60 countries delivered a letter on November 14 to the climate talks urging them to end fossil fuel development to stave off "economic upheaval and climate chaos," Common Dreams said.
Common Dreams said: “The groups, from 350.org and Greenpeace to the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), urged the COP22 attendees to work toward a ‘just transition to renewable energy with a managed decline of the fossil fuel industry’.”
The signatories said this was more urgent than ever given US president-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement that was ratified this year.
Common Dreams said: “The Paris agreement requires every signatory country to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to prevent a global temperature rise of 2°C. As one of the world's top carbon emitters — and one of its richest countries — the U.S.'s participation in the treaty is paramount.”
The letter said: "Since rich countries have a greater historic responsibility to act, they should provide support to poorer countries to help expand non-carbon energy and drive economic development as part of their fair share of global action, with a focus on meeting the urgent priority of providing universal access to energy.
"The world can either start now in pursuing a managed decline of the fossil fuel industry and a just transition to renewable energy, or it can delay action and bring about economic upheaval and climate chaos. The choice is clear."