On January 8, 2021, the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service announced that the year 2021 tied with 2016 as the warmest year in history, and 2011-2020 as the warmest decade recorded. In 2020, despite the La Nina phenomenon which has the cooling effect, the temperature was pushed by the strong El Nino phenomenon which has a temperature rise effect, and matched the warmest temperature ever recorded in 2016. 

In recent years, Japan has also been affected by extreme weather conditions. However, climate change is a global issue that cannot be solved on its own and therefore requires international cooperation. JIRCAS provides information on  technological development and policies necessary for solving global issues.

Reference

Copernicus: 2020 warmest year on record for Europe; globally, 2020 ties with 2016 for warmest year recorded　DATE:8th January 2021　https://climate.copernicus.eu/copernicus-2020-warmest-year-record-europ…　

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki (Research Strategy Office)