2024 Marks China’s Hottest Year on Record Amid Global Climate Crisis
China’s meteorological agency reported that 2024 was the warmest year on record for the country, with an average national temperature of 10.92 degrees Celsius. This trend was part of a global increase in extreme weather events, leading to significant fatalities and economic losses. The situation highlights the imperative for urgent climate action as natural disasters continue to rise, emphasizing the need for a transition to sustainable practices to mitigate these impacts.
In a significant announcement, China’s meteorological agency declared that 2024 marked the warmest year ever recorded in the nation, with an average temperature of 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing the average by 1.03 degrees. This alarming trend coincides with a global increase in extreme weather events attributed to climate change, raising concerns regarding the impact of rising temperatures not only on the environment but also on human life and property.
Notably, the last four years have set record highs, with all ten of the warmest years since comprehensive records began in 1961 occurring within the 21st century. China has already contended with unprecedented heat and extreme weather conditions this year, enduring the hottest month, August, as well as a record-breaking warm autumn. Furthermore, the United Nations has indicated that 2024 is on track to be the warmest year globally.
The repercussions of increasing global temperatures are profound, leading to intensified weather phenomena including more severe floods, storms, and droughts. In China, this year alone, numerous floods resulted in fatalities and substantial evacuations, particularly notable was a highway collapse in May that led to 48 deaths. The southern city of Guangzhou experienced an extended summer, with temperatures exceeding 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 degrees Fahrenheit) for 240 consecutive days, obliterating the former record from 1994. Reports from other regions, such as Sichuan and Chongqing, highlight devastating heat and drought in the early autumn months.
Such climate events have not only resulted in loss of life but have also inflicted considerable economic damage, with natural disasters totaling approximately $310 billion in losses globally in 2024. This situation underscores the urgency of addressing climate change, as the 2015 Paris Agreement aimed to limit global warming to significantly below two degrees Celsius, ideally not exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The statement regarding 2024 being the hottest year in China emerges amid a broader global climate crisis characterized by escalating temperatures and extreme weather patterns. The rise in average global temperatures has been predominantly linked to human activities, especially the combustion of fossil fuels which increases greenhouse gas emissions. Scientific evidence indicates a direct correlation between greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, necessitating urgent measures to mitigate these impacts. China’s position as the largest emitter of carbon dioxide globally amplifies the significance of its commitment to peak emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2060, compelling a transition towards sustainable practices as global temperatures continue to rise.
In conclusion, the declaration by China’s meteorological authority that 2024 was the hottest year on record serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by climate change. This trend of increasing temperatures, alongside severe weather events and their economic implications, emphasizes the critical importance of global cooperation to address climate issues effectively. As nations strive to meet the targets established by international agreements like the Paris Accord, the impacts of climate change present pressing challenges that must be addressed urgently to safeguard future generations.
Original Source: www.france24.com
