2019 announced one of the hottest years for Earth’s surface ever, caps off warmest decade to date

On Jan. 15, the World Economic Forum’s global risk assessment for the next decade found that some of the top five dangers to the climate include extreme weather, failure to prevent climate change and the destruction of the natural world.

The assessment by the forum stated, “Respondents to the Global Risks Perception Survey rank issues related to global warming – such as extreme weather and biodiversity loss – as the top five risks in terms of likelihood over the coming decade. This is the first time one category has occupied all of the top slots since the report was launched in 2006.”

According to the assessment, 2019 was the second hottest year on record for the planet’s surface, with 2016 being the hottest year following the natural El Niño event that boosted temperatures.

According to junior Violet Apodaca, climate change needs to be treated with more urgency and as a priority, rather than an issue to be tackled later on.

“I know in the democratic debates there were a few [times] where climate change wasn’t even mentioned,” Apodaca said. “I think we just need to start thinking of it as something we need to take action on now.”

The Met Office’s forecast for the global average temperature for 2020 states that this year could possibly be among the three hottest on record.

“I think 2020 definitely will be [a record-breaking year] from where we’re at right now,” Apodaca said. “I think we can make 2021 not have the same rising temperatures…but 2020 definitely will be.”