2024: China’s Hottest Year Amid Global Climate Crisis
The China Meteorological Administration reports that 2024 is the hottest year on record for China, with temperatures 1.03 degrees Celsius above average. This trend reflects widespread global warming, resulting in severe weather events and economic losses worldwide. The urgency of addressing climate change is emphasized by the dire consequences observed in recent natural disasters.
According to the China Meteorological Administration, 2024 was recorded as the hottest year in China since 1961, with an average national temperature of 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature exceeded the historical average by 1.03 degrees. The agency noted that the top four warmest years have all occurred within the past four years, emphasizing the alarming trend of rising temperatures in the 21st century. Notably, 2024 also saw record-breaking heat during July, August, and autumn in China.
Amid global climate change, the impacts of global warming are not confined to temperature rises. Increased atmospheric heat is associated with heightened moisture, resulting in more intense rainfall and storms. The consequences have proven dire, including damage to infrastructure and agriculture. In 2024, severe flooding across China resulted in loss of life and property, with significant incidents reported, including a highway collapse in May that killed 48 individuals.
The global climate situation has further deteriorated, with the United Nations projecting 2024 to be the warmest year ever recorded worldwide. This year also witnessed severe natural disasters globally, including intense flooding in Spain and Kenya and significant droughts in South America. Reports suggest these events led to an estimated economic loss of $310 billion due to natural disasters, as calculated by the Swiss Re insurance firm.
The 2015 Paris Agreement aimed to restrict global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. However, new findings from the World Meteorological Organization indicated that the mean surface air temperature from January to September 2024 was already 1.54 degrees Celsius above that pre-industrial benchmark.
The topic focuses on the alarming rise in global temperatures, particularly within China, and highlights the role of climate change in extreme weather phenomena. 2024’s record-breaking heat in China reflects a broader trend of increasing temperatures, attributed to greenhouse gas emissions primarily from fossil fuel consumption. The situation calls attention to severe climatic events that have led to injuries, deaths, and economic distress globally, underscoring the urgency for climate action in alignment with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.
In summary, 2024 has emerged as a pivotal year in demonstrating the tangible effects of climate change, particularly through unprecedented temperature records in China and escalating weather-related disasters worldwide. The urgent need for international cooperation and adherence to climate agreements is vital to mitigate these changes and secure a sustainable future. As extreme weather becomes increasingly frequent, the repercussions on human life and economic stability demand our immediate attention.
Original Source: www.france24.com
