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The world must "show the same determination and unity" against the growing problem of climate change as it has done against coronavirus, United Nations experts have warned.

The past five years have been the hottest on record globally.

That's according to a report from the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released to mark the 50th anniversary of the annual Earth Day event.

Levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which are damaging to the Earth's atmosphere, are also at record highs, the study found.

Acting together

Physical signs of climate change and its impacts on our planet have also picked up pace in the past five years, the WMO said.

Sea-level rises are accelerating, Arctic sea ice, glaciers and ice sheets continue to get smaller, and more heat is being trapped in the oceans, which is harming life there.

Heatwaves were the deadliest weather hazard between 2015-2019, the report showed, with new temperature records and huge numbers of devastating wildfires as a result.

While the global shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic might have brought a reduction in greenhouse gases, it is not a replacement for long-term climate action, the WMO warned.

The pandemic has seen countries working together and bringing in big changes, with many places being in lockdown to stop coronavirus spreading.

WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas said similar levels of action would be needed to help slow down climate change.

"Whilst Covid-19 has caused a severe international health and economic crisis, failure to tackle climate change may threaten human wellbeing, ecosystems and economies for centuries," he added.