2024 Marks Record Heat in China Amid Escalating Climate Crisis
2024 was declared the hottest year in China’s history by the China Meteorological Administration, with an average temperature of 10.92 degrees Celsius. The year was characterized by severe weather, including unprecedented heat, floods, and droughts, leading to significant human and economic losses. Global temperatures are rising, prompting urgent calls for climate action, particularly as disasters caused $310 billion in damages internationally.
In an alarming report, the China Meteorological Administration announced that 2024 has officially been recorded as the hottest year in China’s history, reflecting a broader trend of escalating global temperatures exacerbated by climate change. The country’s average national temperature reached 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing previous records since comprehensive data collection began in 1961. Among the data, the agency noted that the last four years have marked the hottest periods recorded, with all ten warmest years occurring within the 21st century.
Significantly, the year began with dire weather-related challenges; China experienced its hottest month ever in July and the warmest August and autumn recorded to date. The United Nations underscored that 2024 is likely to be the warmest year globally, as the climate crisis intensifies. Rising temperatures are not only affecting averages but are also altering weather patterns, leading to heightened instances of severe precipitation and storms due to warmer air’s capacity to retain more moisture.
The repercussions of this unprecedented heatwave were grave, leading to numerous casualties and widespread displacement. Notably, floods claimed the lives of dozens of individuals, with a notable incident in May where a highway collapse in southern China resulted in 48 fatalities. Furthermore, the city of Guangzhou witnessed an extraordinary summer, with temperatures remaining above 22 degrees Celsius for a record-breaking 240 days.
In various regions, including Sichuan and Chongqing, autumn brought severe heat and drought conditions, further stressing the already strained agricultural systems. This phenomenon extended beyond China’s borders, with global ramifications resulting in catastrophic flooding in Spain and Kenya and devastating wildfires across South America. The economic toll from natural disasters in 2024 has been estimated at $310 billion, as reported by Swiss Re, highlighting the profound financial impact of climate change.
The need for a collective response to climate change has never been more urgent, particularly as the 2015 Paris Agreement strives to limit temperature increases to well below two degrees Celsius, and ideally to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In November 2024, the World Meteorological Organization reported that the mean surface air temperature for January to September was 1.54 degrees Celsius above the historical average, emphasizing the critical state of the global climate crisis.
The increasing global temperatures have been attributed to climate change, primarily driven by the combustion of fossil fuels. As the leading emitter of greenhouse gases, China finds itself in a challenging position to meet its own carbon reduction pledges. The significance of 2024 as the hottest year in China aligns with escalating patterns in extreme weather phenomena witnessed worldwide, as natural disasters become both more frequent and severe, threatening human life and economic stability. The global climate response, represented in the 2015 Paris Accords, is a crucial focal point for international policy-making as nations strive to mitigate these severe impacts.
The record heat of 2024 in China serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective climate action. As global temperatures soar and extreme weather events become increasingly common, the imperative for nations, especially those with high carbon emissions like China, to commit to and fulfill their climate pledges is critical. The ramifications of failing to address climate change will be profound, affecting human lives, economies, and the environment for generations to come.
Original Source: www.france24.com
