Climate change has shot back into the global consciousness as of late, with millions of young protesters taking to the streets around the world to make their voices heard. <br />But if that didn't get your attention, this might do.<br />New data from the World Meteorological Organization shows the five-year period from 2014 to 2019 saw the warmest global temperatures ever recorded.<br />Lee Seung-jae reports. <br /> Published on the eve of key talks in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly,... the World Meteorological Organization has published its latest data on climate change.<br />Shocked by what it contains, weather experts have expressed serious concerns about the latest assessment.<br />According to the WMO's data,... the five-year period from 2014 to 2019 was not only the warmest on record, but it also led to a significant rise in sea levels.<br /> While the average rate of sea-level rise was 3-point-2 millimeters a year from 1993 to 2019,... the average from 2014 to 2019 had shot up to 5 millimeters.<br />The 10-year period from 2007 to 2016 saw an average of roughly 4 millimeters a year.<br />The report also indicates global warming affects the world's oceans the most,... with more than 90-percent of the excess heat caused by climate change soaked up by the ocean.<br />Analysis shows 2018 had the highest ocean heat content values on record.<br /> Experts attributed the changes to carbon dioxide emissions hitting new highs over the same period.<br />Data shows carbon emissions were up 20 percent compared with the previous five years.<br /> The release of the data coincides with the special UN summit on climate change, which takes place in New York on Monday, local time.<br />A number of political leaders will attend the one-day event,... which according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres,... is designed to be about action,... not empty pledges.<br />Greta Thunberg and other youth activists who have been marching on the streets of New York will be there to call for action.<br /> In addition,... about 60 heads of states are also expected to join,... with countries expected to announce new plans to slash emissions and set up new multi-nation environmental protection initiatives.<br />Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News. <br />
