Extreme weather 'caused by manmade climate change'

Climate change is likely to have caused the extreme weather situations that were experienced in many areas of the world throughout 2013, according to a new analysis. The World Meteorological Organisation has concluded that increasing global temperatures influenced the extreme weather of last year, meaning climate change is at least in part responsible for some of the devastating damage caused by violent weather patterns. 

Although the world tends to experience a range of different weather situations - including cold fronts, storms, floods and draughts - the evidence that man made pollution and human activity is causing weather changes is increasing. 

The World Meteorological Organisation has performed its annual assessment of global temperature, revealing that lands and people throughout the world have experienced extreme weather impacts on an increasing basis. According to the authority, many of the extreme weather conditions and events fall in line with what is expected as a result of climate change that is caused by human activity.

Last year was also named as the sixth warmest year since records began by the agency. Of the 14 warmest years on record, 13 occurred within the 21st century, indicating that global temperatures are rising in line with an increase in manmade emissions. 

According to Michel Jarraud, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organisation, explained that climate modelling that looks at the recent increase in temperatures experienced throughout Australia shows rises that wouldn't have happened were it not for emissions. Carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of gas, coal and oil have served to trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the heat waves that would not have happened in any other way.

The increase in damage to coastlines brought about by ever more violent storm surges has also been attributed to human-induced climate change, as rising global temperatures have caused sea levels to rise. It is expected sea levels will continue to increase, causing yet more flooding and damage through storms.