2024 Marks Record Temperatures in China: Urgent Climate Action Needed
2024 has been declared China’s hottest year on record, with an average temperature increase attributed to climate change. The China Meteorological Administration reports severe weather events, resulting in significant fatalities and economic losses. As global temperatures rise, swift action is needed to address the escalating crisis characterized by extreme weather patterns and their implications for human and agricultural systems.
According to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), 2024 has been recorded as the hottest year in China’s history, with national average temperatures reaching 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 Fahrenheit), exceeding previous averages by 1.03 degrees. This alarming trend aligns with a broader global pattern of extreme weather events attributed to climate change. The top four warmest years in China have all occurred within the past four years, highlighting an alarming escalation in temperature anomalies.
The year 2024 has already witnessed unprecedented heat throughout China, including record-breaking temperatures in July and August, as well as the warmest autumn ever documented. As these extreme conditions persist, the United Nations has cautioned that 2024 is anticipated to emerge as the warmest year globally.
The consequences of rising temperatures are evident, extending beyond mere increases in average heat. As warmer air holds more moisture, this leads to intensified precipitation and storms, posing severe risks to life and property. Last year alone saw significant flooding in China, resulting in numerous fatalities and widespread evacuations, with events such as the deadly highway collapse in May claiming 48 lives.
Geographically, several regions in China experienced prolonged heatwaves, particularly in southern cities such as Guangzhou, where the average temperature exceeded 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 Fahrenheit) for an unprecedented 240 days. Other areas, including Sichuan and Chongqing, faced serious droughts, illustrating the diversity of climate-related challenges across the nation. Meanwhile, globally, the year was marked by devastating phenomena, including floods and wildfires, leading to economic losses estimated at $310 billion, according to Swiss Re, a prominent insurance firm.
The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events underscore the necessity for concerted climate action. The commitments outlined in the Paris Climate Accord aim to limit the global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius. Recently, the World Meteorological Organization reported significant temperature increases, recording an average of 1.54 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for the year 2024.
Such stark reminders of climate change’s impact emphasize the urgent need for international cooperation and proactive measures to mitigate the adverse effects that humanity faces as a result of an increasingly unstable climate.
The context for the record temperatures in China stems from a combination of anthropogenic climate change and natural variability. As the world’s leading emitter of greenhouse gases, China’s contribution to global warming is under scrutiny, especially as extreme weather incidents become more frequent and severe. The global climate framework established by the Paris Agreement seeks to hold temperature increases to manageable levels, but recent data suggests that these goals are increasingly at risk. This backdrop of rising temperatures, drought, flooding, and economic losses paints a concerning picture that signifies the need for immediate climate action.
In summary, 2024 has emerged as the hottest year on record for China, indicative of an alarming trend of rising global temperatures fueled by climate change. The repercussions of increased heat are not limited to temperature rises but extend to extreme weather events that affect lives and livelihoods. The global community must confront these challenges with urgency, reinforcing commitments to the Paris Climate Accord while prioritizing adaptive strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
