The year 2014 has been declared as the hottest year on record with global temperatures 0.68°C (1.24°F) higher than the long term average. The long-term global average temperature is calculated using data collected between 1951 and 1980. The 'heat' was experienced throughout the world with Europe, South America, China, Alaska, Australia, and Russia experiencing record high temperatures. The world, it has been found, was the hottest in 2014 since systematic record-keeping began in 1880. Oceans were held responsible for rising temperatures in 2014.
This also means that out of 15 warmest years, 14 have occurred in this century only. Human emissions of greenhouse gases are being held responsible for these climatic changes and global warming. Interestingly though, there were parts of America which recorded temperatures cooler than average. But these were overhauled by larger proportions of land and ocean areas which were warmer than average. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) uses global data-sets from NASA, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and UK's Met Office to compile its report.
The fast growing myth that global warming has subsided or stopped, has now received a major setback with these scientific findings. Excessive greenhouse emissions have led to an increase in temperatures across the planet. Skeptics of global warming cannot afford to ignore this overwhelming data and maintain that global warming is a hoax.
The UN climate summit, which is to be held in Paris later this year, will hold great prominence in reaching a consensus on inhibiting global greenhouse emissions. World leaders are expected to join hands in controlling widespread climatic change by finalizing a global blueprint on reducing emissions from human activities.
