The latest report from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) shows that 2015 broke yet more records as the effects of climate change were felt stronger and faster than predicted.

Already global warming has reached 1.3 degrees above pre-industrial levels (for the first six months of 2015), calling into question the ability of world leaders to deliver on their commitment of limiting global warming to 1.5oc made at last year’s Paris climate talks.

The peer reviewed report from AMS confirmed that 2015 was the warmest year on Earth by global surface temperature since records began (replacing 2014, the previous warmest year, though 2016 which is on track to be warmer still). Levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere also reached record levels; as a result of human activity, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rose above 400 parts per million.

On top of this - albeit partly associated with the strong El Nino event - the area of land experiencing drought in 2015 increased by 75%. Commenting on these findings, scientists from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said “Last year's El Niño was a clear reminder of how short-term events can amplify the relative influence and impacts stemming from longer-term global warming trends."

Reacting to the report, Kate Willett, a senior scientist from the UK’s Met Office said "Looking at a range of climate measurements, 2015 was yet another a highly significant year. Not only was 2015 the warmest year on record by a large margin, it was also another year when the levels of dominant greenhouse gases reached new peaks. Measurements from a series of monitored glaciers showed continuing retreat for the 36th consecutive year, and sea levels and ocean heat content were all at their highest levels.”

The Met Office contributed findings to the report, which was compiled by more than 460 scientists from 62 countries.

The report is available here, alongside previous years’ reports.