Despite the absence of El Niño, the Earth experienced near-record global temperatures in 2021, making it the sixth-warmest year on record, according to data released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Thursday.

The average global temperature in 2021 was approximately 1.1°C (2.0°F) above the pre-industrial era (1850-1900), although slightly cooler than the exceptionally warm years of 2016, 2019, and 2020, which were all impacted by strong El Niño events.

The WMO noted that 2021 was the seventh consecutive year that global temperatures had exceeded 1°C above pre-industrial levels, highlighting the ongoing and significant impact of human activities on the Earth's climate.

The absence of a strong El Niño event, which typically results in warmer-than-average temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and influences global weather patterns, did not prevent 2021 from becoming one of the warmest years on record. This indicates the persistent warming trend driven by human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

The year 2021 witnessed several extreme weather events, including record-breaking heat waves in North America and Europe, devastating floods in China and Europe, and catastrophic wildfires in various regions. These events, in line with the predictions of climate change models, serve as stark reminders of the urgent need to address the root cause: human activities that contribute to global warming.

The WMO emphasized the importance of implementing ambitious emissions reductions targets to mitigate climate change impacts. The upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), scheduled for November 2021 in Glasgow, UK, represents a crucial opportunity for world leaders to commit to more robust climate action and accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future.