Last decade warmest on record

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40474599/ns/us_news-environment/

updated 12/2/2010 12:41:45 PM ET 2010-12-02T17:41:45

CANCUN, Mexico — This last decade was the warmest since temperature records began in 1850, the U.N.'s World Meteorological Organization said Thursday in a review issued on the sidelines of U.N. talks in Mexico that are seeking ways to rein in global warming.

"Recent warming has been especially strong in Africa, parts of Asia, and parts of the Arctic," it said in a statement. "The Saharan/Arabian, East African, Central Asian and Greenland/Arctic Canada sub-regions have all had 2001-10 temperatures 1.2 to 1.4 degrees C (about 2 degrees Fahrenheit) above the long-term average, and 0.7 degrees C to 0.9 degrees C (about 1.5 F) warmer than any previous decade."

While no single weather event can be traced to human activity and greenhouse gases, WMO Secretary-General Michel said natural variation cannot explain the decade-long record. "If you don't take the human emission into account you cannot reproduce what you observe," he said.

Moreover, Jarraud said there is a "significant possibility 2010 could be the warmest" year on record, surpassing 1998 and 2005.

The British Met Office — one of the three main groups that compiled the data that was then peer-reviewed — said 2010 was "more likely than not" the warmest year.

A final review in early 2011 will determine 2010's place, though there is still a chance 2010 will be just below 1998 and 2005 if December cools, the WMO stated.

----- (skipping)

..