2024 Marks Record Heat in China Amid Growing Climate Crisis

In 2024, China recorded its highest national average temperature at 10.92°C, indicating a troubling trend of rising global temperatures driven by climate change. This year marked extreme weather events within China, causing loss of life and significant economic damage. The UN also predicted that 2024 would be the warmest year on a global scale, stressing the importance of cooperative international action against climate change to mitigate its catastrophic effects.

According to the China Meteorological Administration, 2024 has been marked as the hottest year in China’s recorded history, with an average national temperature of 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 degrees Fahrenheit), exceeding the average by 1.03 degrees. This alarming trend follows a pattern where the past four years have registered as the warmest years on record since comprehensive recordings began in 1961. July of this year recorded the highest temperatures observed, followed by unprecedented warmth in August and autumn months.

The United Nations has indicated that 2024 is also anticipated to be the warmest year globally, attributing this phenomenon to the effects of climate change, primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels. The increase in atmospheric and oceanic temperatures contributes to several adverse effects, including intensified rainfall and storms resulting in catastrophic weather patterns. In China, extreme weather has led to significant human and economic losses, including fatalities during severe flooding events and disruption across various regions such as Sichuan and Chongqing.

With natural disasters causing an estimated economic loss of $310 billion globally in 2024, the dire realities of climate change cannot be ignored. Despite Beijing’s commitment to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, the current climate trajectory confirms a critical and immediate need for action. As the world diligently strives to adhere to the goals set forth in the Paris climate accords, the situation remains precarious, urging all nations to adopt more vigorous measures to combat climate change.

Climate change has emerged as a pressing global issue, characterized by rising temperatures, severe weather patterns, and economic repercussions. With China as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, its role in global warming is critical. The annual reports from national and international bodies underscore the urgency of action against climate change, especially in light of catastrophic weather events that have resulted in loss of life and extensive property damage. The Paris climate accords provide a framework for nations to limit temperature increases and mitigate these effects, yet observable data suggest that current efforts remain insufficient.

The designation of 2024 as the hottest year in China’s history signifies a critical warning of the escalating impacts of climate change that transcend borders. The effects of global warming manifest in increased temperatures, extreme weather events, and significant economic losses, underscoring the necessity for urgent and collective action. As nations grapple with the consequences of climate change, adherence to international agreements and proactive measures will be essential to safeguard the planet for future generations.

Original Source: www.france24.com