In 2024, China experienced its warmest year on record, with average temperatures reaching 10.92 degrees Celsius. The country faced severe flooding and extreme weather events that resulted in loss of life and significant economic damage, paralleling global trends of increased natural disasters linked to climate change. The urgency for global climate action remains critical, as acknowledged by international agreements aiming to curb global temperature rises.
China recorded its hottest year in 2024, with an average national temperature of 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing previous records. According to the China Meteorological Administration, the nation experienced the warmest temperatures since comprehensive records began in 1961, with the past four years noted as the hottest on record. This surge in temperature is attributed to intensified climate change, which has severe repercussions, including catastrophic natural disasters, rising sea levels, and widespread droughts affecting agricultural output.
The aftermath of extreme weather events has consistently revealed devastating effects. In 2024 alone, flooding claimed dozens of lives and prompted mass evacuations across China. Notable incidents included a highway collapse in May, which resulted in 48 fatalities. The southern city of Guangzhou recorded an unprecedented lengthy summer, with over 240 days exceeding the average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
Severe conditions were not limited to China; globally, the year saw lethal flooding in Spain and Kenya, violent storms across the United States and the Philippines, as well as escalating drought leading to wildfires in South America. Economic losses from natural disasters for 2024 totaled approximately $310 billion, as reported by Swiss Re. The ongoing trend amplifies the urgency highlighted by the 2015 Paris climate accords, which seek to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius, with the aim of striving for 1.5 degrees Celsius if feasible. Recent reports also indicate that the average global temperature was 1.54 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for the January to September timeframe of 2024.
The context of the article highlights the ongoing climate crisis, particularly as it pertains to China’s significant role as a top emitter of greenhouse gases. The increasing temperatures and frequency of extreme weather events underscore the critical implications of climate change on natural disasters, agriculture, and human life. The mention of global accords also reflects motivations to combat climate change collaboratively. Understanding these aspects is crucial in evaluating the broader impacts of climate trends and the collective response needed to address these challenges.
In conclusion, 2024 stands as a pivotal year in the record of extreme temperatures, marking China’s hottest year yet alongside increasing global averages. The repercussions of these climatic changes emphasize the urgency of addressing global warming through concerted international efforts. The devastating natural disasters and consequential economic losses serve as stark reminders of the pressing need for effective climate action to mitigate these adverse impacts.
Original Source: www.bangkokpost.com
