According to the Wednesday-released annual "State of the Climate" reports by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the temperature of the Earth has been increasing over the last five decades, with the past ten years being that hottest thus far in recorded history.

Noting that global warming is happening at a very fast pace, the report reveals that a comprehensive analysis of "ten key climate indicators" shows notable warming over the past thirty years. These indicators include - humidity; sea-surface temperature; sea level; sea ice cover; snow cover; ocean heat content; glacier cover; air temperature in the lower atmosphere; temperature over land; and temperature over oceans.

Highlighting the fact that "global warming is undeniable," a July 28-dated NOAA press release said that the findings of the 2009 State of the Climate report - based on the work of more than 300 scientists from 160 different research organizations in 48 countries - underscore the "scientific evidence that our world is warming is unmistakable."

Revealing that the Earth's average temperature has increased by one-degree Fahrenheit over the last 50 years, the report has also cautioned that the rapidly changing climate conditions can result in more extreme weather conditions.

Pointing out to the melting of glaciers, intensification of heavy rainfall, and commonness of heat waves, Deke Arndt, the head of the NOAA's Climate Monitoring Branch, said that the report substantiates the observation that "over 90 percent of warming over the past 50 years has gone into our ocean."