Earth is warming even faster than we thought: Met Office update to global temperature dataset reveals the world was 0.3°F hotter last decade than previously estimated

 The world was 0.3°F hotter last decade than previously thought, indicating that the Earth is warming even faster than estimated, a study has revealed.

Experts from the Met Office and the University of East Anglia have released the latest refinement of the HadCRUT temperature dataset, which stretches back to 1850. 

One of the world's major global temperature datasets, HadCRUT is used to calculate the average temperature increases resulting from human-made climate change.The latest update, a result of improvements to the dataset, found the world 1.93°F (1.07°C) warmer on average in 2010–18 than in the second half of the 19th Century.

The main contributor to warming over the past 170 years has been humanity releasing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, the researchers noted.

Improvements in the new dataset include a significant increase in weather stations used over the land, as well as adjustments to the measurements taken at sea.

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The world was 0.3°F hotter last decade than previously thought, indicating that the Earth is warming even faster than estimated, a study has revealed. Pictured, the impact of warming

The new version of the HadCRUT datasets takes better account of the different ways in which sea surface temperatures have been taken over the years — such as by means of buckets and buoys — reducing the impact on the accuracy of the record.

It also uses statistical methods to extend the dataset’s coverage in the early part of the record — as well as in areas such as the Arctic today — where data is scarce but temperatures are rising rapidly. This makes it more accurate.

The previous version showed less warming than other global temperature analyses, such as those by undertaken by US researchers at NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or 'NOAA'.

However, the refined HadCRUT dataset is more consistent with the other datasets over recent decades — and shows slightly more warming than most of them do over the full period since 1850, the experts said.The dataset brings together measurements of near-surface air temperature made at weather stations around the world with sea surface temperatures at the top layer of the ocean.

'Each of the main global temperature datasets, including those by NOAA and NASA, are compiled separately using different methods,' said the Met Office's Colin Morice.

'But each is based on a finite amount of global temperature observations.'

'The range of approaches results in very similar estimates of overall warming and provides scientific confidence in the changes seen and also reinforces the fact that the world has warmed considerably since the mid-19th century.''We made our first estimate of global warming in 1986 and since then we have regularly improved our data and refined our analysis,' said Tim Osborn, research director at the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit.

'This new major update to our global temperature record sees the estimate of global warming from 1850 to 2018 revised upwards, from 0.91–1.07°C [1.63–1.93°F].'

'Climate change has not suddenly got worse: instead, we have an improved estimate of how much warming has taken place.'

The paper setting out the update is published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres.

'TIME IS RUNNING OUT': DAVID ATTENBOROUGH'S WARNING TO HUMANITY

Sir David urged action against global warming and called it a man-made disaster that poses 'our greatest threat in thousands of years'

Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.

'We the peoples of the United Nations'.

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Our greatest threat in thousands of years. Climate Change.

If we don't take action the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon.

The United Nations provides a unique platform that can unite the whole world.

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The People's Seat; giving everyone the opportunity to join us here today, virtually, and speak directly to you the decision makers.

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I am only here to represent the 'Voice of the People': to deliver our collective thoughts, concerns, ideas and suggestions.

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Helping people to discover simple everyday actions that they can take, because they recognize that they too must play their part.

The People have spoken.

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