The has warned that 2016 was set to be the hottest year on record by a significant margin livescience.com said.
WMO scientists told diplomats gathered in Marrakech, Morocco, for the November 7–18 United Nations COP22 climate talks that temperatures are 1.2˚C above pre-industrial times.
This information came as nearly 400 civil society groups and individuals from more than 60 countries delivered on November 14 to the urging them to end fossil fuel development to stave off "economic upheaval and climate chaos," .
Common Dreams said: “The groups, from 350.org and Greenpeace to the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the COP22 attendees to work toward a ‘just transition to renewable energy with a managed decline of the fossil fuel industry’.â€
The signatories said this was more urgent than ever given US president-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to the US from the Paris climate agreement that was ratified this year.
Common Dreams said: “The requires every signatory country to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to prevent a global temperature rise of 2°C. As one of the world's top carbon emitters — and one of its richest countries — the U.S.'s participation in the treaty is paramount.â€
The letter said: "Since rich countries have a greater historic responsibility to act, they should provide support to poorer countries to help expand non-carbon energy and drive economic development as part of their fair share of global action, with a focus on meeting the urgent priority of providing universal access to energy.
"The world can either start now in pursuing a managed decline of the fossil fuel industry and a just transition to renewable energy, or it can delay action and bring about economic upheaval and climate chaos. The choice is clear."