The Refinishing Touch Blog

As the first reports from Copenhagen have started to trickle out, one of the first stands out more than any other. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced that 2009 will likely rank among the top ten hottest years since temperature records began in 1850, and that the first decade of the new millennium will be the hottest decade ever.

The record also states that while North America experienced cooler than normal temperatures, the rest of the world felt higher than average temperatures and, as a result, negative climate extremes. For example, several Asian countries suffered as a result of the heat. China had its worst drought and saw the lowest water levels in the last five decades. Africa and South America also suffered from extreme water shortages and recorded large amounts of damage to livestock and agriculture.

Weather patterns were also affected by the high temperatures, with parts of Europe, such as Spain and France, impacted by winter storm Klaus, which brought with it winds as strong as a category 3 hurricane. Additionally, just as summer droughts were brought on by the increasing temperatures, heavy and intense rainfall at the beginning of the year caused landslides, heavy flooding and severe damage to infrastructure in cities worldwide.

The report, which details specific weather patterns for areas throughout the world, illustrates some of the dangers that result in rising temperatures and the importance for people to make changes now that will lessen the likelihood of global warming and help prevent damaging climate change.