2024 Marks Record Heat for China Amidst Global Climate Challenges

China’s meteorological agency reported that 2024 is the warmest year on record, with national temperatures reaching 10.92°C. The trend reflects global climate change, resulting in extreme weather patterns. This year has seen deadly floods in China and worldwide disasters, highlighting urgent climate action needs.

In a recent announcement, China’s meteorological agency revealed that 2024 has been recorded as the nation’s warmest year since comprehensive records began in 1961. The average national temperature reached a staggering 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous average by 1.03 degrees. This alarming trend is indicative of a broader global phenomenon where extreme weather events, largely attributed to climate change, are becoming increasingly frequent and severe.

Reports indicate that the past four years have been among the hottest in recorded history, with all ten of the highest annual temperatures occurring in the 21st century. Major weather milestones in China this year included the warmest month in July, the hottest August, and an exceptionally warm autumn. Furthermore, the United Nations has highlighted that 2024 is anticipated to be the warmest year on record globally.

The impacts of global warming are multifaceted, transcending mere temperature rises. Increased atmospheric heat enhances moisture retention, leading to intensified rainfall and storms. In China, this year’s extreme weather resulted in deadly floods that claimed dozens of lives and caused significant destruction, particularly after a highway collapse in May that resulted in 48 fatalities. The southern city of Guangzhou recorded an unprecedented 240 days of average temperatures above 22 Celsius (71.6 Fahrenheit), surpassing previous records held since 1994.

Additionally, various regions across China experienced severe heat and drought conditions, contributing to widespread agricultural losses. Globally, 2024 also witnessed catastrophic flooding in Spain and Kenya, multiple severe storms across the United States and the Philippines, and crippling droughts and wildfires in South America. The financial toll attributed to natural disasters reached $310 billion this year, underscoring the dire economic implications of climate change.

The 2015 Paris Agreement aimed to limit global temperature increases to well below two degrees Celsius, with an aspirational target of 1.5 degrees. The World Meteorological Organization reported that the average surface air temperature from January to September 2024 was 1.54 degrees higher than pre-industrial levels measured between 1850 and 1900, further emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate-related phenomena.

The ongoing climate crisis has resulted in unprecedented weather conditions globally, with countries like China experiencing extreme heat, drought, and floods. China, as the foremost emitter of greenhouse gases, has acknowledged the substantial role industrial activities play in exacerbating climate change. Pledges made by the Chinese government aim to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and attain net-zero emissions by 2060, reflecting a commitment to mitigate further environmental impacts and adhere to international climate accords. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events underscores the scientific consensus that immediate and robust action is required to combat these trends.

In summary, 2024 has emerged as a critical year in understanding the implications of climate change, epitomized by China’s record-breaking temperatures and the ensuing weather-related disasters. The global community faces immense challenges as extreme weather becomes more common, with significant human and economic costs. International collaborations and strict adherence to climate agreements will be essential to combat the escalating crisis and secure a more stable environmental future for generations to come.

Original Source: www.france24.com