2018 found to be fourth hottest year

Statement from Woodwell Deputy Director Max Holmes, on today’s NOAA report that 2018 was the fourth hottest year in recorded history:

“The release of this report was delayed by the government shutdown and we thank those scientists who worked to get it out as fast as they did. This data—produced by the executive branch of our federal government—shows the predictions and models of climate scientists have now become our reality. The last five years are the five hottest ever recorded. At every level of government and society, we must take seriously these dire warnings about what might happen if we fail to rapidly cut industrial carbon pollution and protect naturally-stored carbon. Time is running short, we need to pay attention to the science, and take decisive action to address global warming.”