The American Meteorological Society has released the ‘State of the Climate’ report for 2015, which confirms that year as the warmest ever recorded.

The American Meteorological Society has released the ‘State of the Climate’ report for 2015, which confirms that year as the warmest ever recorded.
While a particularly strong El Niño was certainly a significant factor in the rise, long-term changes also contributed greatly, according to the report. 
In determining 2015’s climate trends, researchers reviewed data gathered by hundreds of scientists hailing from 62 nations. 
Overall, the team, led by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, found, “…that most indicators of climate change continued to reflect trends consistent with a warming planet.”
Further, “several markers such as land and ocean temperatures, sea levels and greenhouse gases broke records set just one year prior.” 
Throughout 2015, climate changes continued to have a significant impact around the globe.
Among the animals affected are walruses, which, due to retreating Arctic ice, “..are hauling out on land rather than on sea ice, raising concern about the energy requirements of females and young animals.” 
In 2015, there was also an uptick in rainfall, tropical storms, and major flooding.