2024 Marks Record Heat Year for China: Implications and Consequences
In 2024, China recorded its highest national temperature, 10.92°C, as reported by the China Meteorological Administration. This marks a concerning trend of rising temperatures and extreme weather events, with significant impacts on life and property. The global climate crisis has resulted in catastrophic weather patterns, prompting urgent calls for climate action.
On Wednesday evening, the China Meteorological Administration released a report indicating that 2024 marked the warmest year on record for China, with an average national temperature of 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 degrees Fahrenheit). This figure represents an increase of 1.03 degrees compared to historical averages, underscoring the alarming trend of rising temperatures in recent years. Notably, the agency highlighted that the past four years constituted the four warmest years ever documented, with all ten of the hottest years since 1961 occurring in the 21st century.
Extreme weather conditions, exacerbated by climate change, have had devastating impacts across the nation. This year alone, China recorded its hottest month, July, and the warmest August and autumn on record. Additionally, the United Nations anticipated that 2024 would also be recognized as the hottest year globally, a concerning milestone attributed to significant climate change.
The implications of global warming extend beyond mere temperature increases, as heightened atmospheric heat leads to greater moisture retention and intensified precipitation events. Consequently, such changes have resulted in more severe storms and flooding. In China, these weather phenomena have had dire consequences, with floods leading to numerous fatalities and widespread evacuations. In May, for instance, a catastrophic highway collapse in southern China due to excessive rainfall resulted in 48 fatalities.
The southern city of Guangzhou recorded an unprecedented summer with 240 days of average temperatures surpassing 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 degrees Fahrenheit), eclipsing the previous record established in 1994. Additionally, regions like Sichuan and Chongqing faced extreme heat and drought during early autumn, further illustrating the broader climatic impact.
Globally, 2024 witnessed harrowing instances of flooding in Spain and Kenya, alongside several violent storms affecting the United States and the Philippines, and devastating droughts and wildfires across South America. According to the Zurich-based insurance company Swiss Re, natural disasters incurred economic losses amounting to $310 billion this year.
The 2015 Paris climate accords aimed to restrict global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees Celsius, striving for a limit of 1.5 degrees if feasible. The World Meteorological Organization reported that between January and September, the mean surface air temperature was 1.54 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average, highlighting the urgent need for global action against climate change.
In light of escalating climate crises, the recent report from the China Meteorological Administration reveals the extent of rising temperatures in China and the implications for global climate. With China being the foremost emitter of greenhouse gases, understanding its role in climate dynamics is crucial. The report emphasizes the alarming trend of increased temperatures and extreme weather events over the past few years, particularly in the context of international climate commitments and the urgency of addressing global warming.
In conclusion, the findings regarding China’s record temperatures in 2024 serve as a stark reminder of the urgent climate crisis facing the planet. The increase in temperature has led to severe weather events, significant fatalities, and drastic economic implications. As the effects of climate change intensify globally, it is imperative that collective action be taken to mitigate these trends and adhere to international agreements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Original Source: www.france24.com
