National
2015 & 2016 will be the hottest years, says a study
The study warns that big changes could be under way in the climate system with greenhouse gases increasing the impact of natural trends.Global temperatures in 2015 and 2016 are set to reach record high levels, states a new research published by the Met Office, Britain's official weather agency
The latest research, released on Monday, suggests the Earth's average surface temperature is running at or near record levels so far in 2015 and the trend is not slowing down.
Researchers say key global climate patterns, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, an El Nino in the tropical Pacific and the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation are shifting.
"With the potential that next year could be similarly warm, it' s clear that our climate continues to change," said Prof. Stephen Belcher, head of the Met Office Hadley Centre.
The scientists confirm that in 2015 the Earth's average surface temperature is running at, or near, record levels (0.68C above the 1961-1990 average
Speaking to BBC, Met Office Hadley Centre director Prof Stephen Belcher said: "We know natural patterns contribute to global temperatures in any given year, but the very warm temperatures so far this year indicate the continued impact of (manmade) greenhouse gases.
"With the potential that next year could be similarly warm, it's clear that our climate continues to change," he said.
Also quoted in the article is Rowan Sutton, from the University of Reading who confirmed: "Unless there's a big volcanic eruption, it looks very likely that globally 2014, 2015 and 2016 will be among the very warmest years ever recorded.
"This isn't a fluke. We are seeing the effects of energy steadily accumulating in the Earth's oceans and atmosphere, caused by greenhouse gases."