... but the Earth is COOLER than in 2015

THE Earth has been slightly cooler in 2021 than 201 , the year of the landmark Paris climate agreement.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said this year will likely be the fifth to seventh hottest since records began in 18 0.

Provisional data for January to September shows the average global temperature has been 1.09C higher than pre-industrial levels this year. In 201 , the average was 1.18C above these levels. Last year was the hottest on record at 1.28C higher.

The WMO said that 2021 did not smash records because of a weather event called La Nina in the Pacific, in which the circulation of ocean waters helps to cool the atmosphere.