Another of the conclusions of the study is that tropical regions, which include vulnerable countries with a lower level of responsibility for global warming, are the regions that are experiencing the largest increases of extreme weather.
"The information obtained enables the monitoring of the effects of global warming and the maintenance of the level of public awareness of this problem. In addition, regional analyses are useful as an informative tool and as back-up in climate change negotiations between different countries", concludes Robinson.
Unprecedented Levels
In order to carry out the study, the researchers analysed average monthly temperatures and daily rainfall at earth stations all around the globe to determine the historical frequency of extreme events of different magnitudes and record events at both a global and a regional level. These results were compared with the expected evolution in a stationary climate – without climate change.
"We can affirm that the occurrence of record events in recent decades is unprecedented in the instrumental record and their frequency has increased with global warming. The changes experienced are not only incompatible with a decarbonised world but are also in line with forecasts based on the observed rate of global warming", adds David Barriopedro, a researcher at the IGEO.
As well as UCM and the IGEO, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Change, the University of Potsdam, the Free University of Amsterdam and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute took part in the study.