Japan reported 2024 as its hottest year on record, with average temperatures 1.48°C above the norm, reflecting a global trend of rising temperatures due to climate change. The year saw severe weather events, including flooding, and the return of snow on Mount Fuji was notably delayed. Japan, reliant on fossil fuels, faces challenges in its carbon reduction goals while other nations also record high temperatures.
On January 6, Japan’s Meteorological Agency announced that 2024 marked the warmest year on record for the country, a trend reflected in global temperatures fueled by increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Reportedly, average temperatures in Japan from January to December were 1.48 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average, surpassing previous records since the agency began documenting climate data in 1898. The continuing trend indicates a significant rise of 1.40 degrees Celsius per century, with notable increases observed particularly since the 1990s.
The summer of 2024 shared the title of hottest summer recorded, matching the intense heat seen in 2023. Additionally, autumn was documented as the warmest ever. A stark observation was noted regarding Mount Fuji, which experienced the longest absence of its iconic snowcap, with snow only appearing in early November, significantly later than the usual early October. Environmental scientists attribute these temperature surges to climate change, which enhances the atmosphere’s capacity to contain water, intensifying heavy rainfall events.
The year 2024 also witnessed tragic climate-related events, including floods and landslides in the Noto Peninsula that resulted in the loss of 16 lives, along with significant evacuations prompted by heavy rainfall elsewhere in Japan. Other nations, such as India, Taiwan, and Germany, similarly encountered record-breaking temperatures in 2024, indicating that this is a global phenomenon precipitated by unprecedented greenhouse gas emissions rising to new highs, per the World Meteorological Organization.
Critics have pointed out that Japan’s energy sector relies primarily on fossil fuels, with nearly 70 percent of its electricity generated from such sources in 2023. In efforts to combat climate change, Japan has set ambitious goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and aims to reduce emissions by 46 percent from 2013 levels by 2030. Recent plans propose that renewable energy sources should comprise 40 to 50 percent of electricity generation by 2040, a notable increase from the current approximation of 23 percent.
Japan has been experiencing a worrying trend of increasing average temperatures due to climate change, a situation mirrored globally. The connection between rising greenhouse gas emissions and extreme weather phenomena has become increasingly evident in recent years. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has been capturing data on temperature changes since 1898, with 2024 proving to be particularly alarming, exceeding previously set records. The rising temperature has not only had implications for seasonal weather patterns but has also contributed to severe weather events such as floods and landslides, necessitating urgent environmental and policy responses.
In summary, 2024 has been officially declared the hottest year on record for Japan, highlighting the broader implications of climate change as witnessed globally. The Japan Meteorological Agency noted unprecedented temperature increases, exacerbated by heavy rainfall and extreme weather events, marking an alarming shift in environmental conditions. With the country heavily reliant on fossil fuels for energy, Japan faces significant challenges in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions while aiming for carbon neutrality. These developments underscore the urgent need for collective action in addressing climate-related issues.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
