2024 Marks Record Heat for China Amidst Global Climate Change Trends

In 2024, China records its hottest year, averaging 10.92°C, marking a continued trend of rising temperatures due to climate change. Extreme weather has resulted in numerous fatalities and widespread evacuations from flooding. Similar global patterns have emerged, with natural disasters incurring $310 billion in losses. The urgency for climate action is emphasized by international benchmarks aimed at limiting global temperature increases.

According to China’s weather agency, 2024 has been recorded as the hottest year in the nation’s history. The average national temperature reached 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 Fahrenheit), exceeding the norm by 1.03 degrees. This trend has been observed consistently over the past four years, all of which rank among the top four warmest years since systematic records began in 1961. Moreover, the World United Nations noted that globally, 2024 stands as the warmest year ever logged, highlighting the severe implications of climate change that extend beyond merely rising temperatures.

The consequences of extreme weather in China have proven devastating, with numerous fatalities and widespread evacuations due to flooding. Notably, in May, a highway in southern China collapsed due to persistent rain, resulting in 48 deaths. Additionally, the city of Guangzhou experienced a record-long summer, with temperatures exceeding 22C (71.6F) for an unprecedented 240 days, surpassing the previous high of 234 days recorded in 1994. Furthermore, regions such as Sichuan, Chongqing, and parts of the Yangtze River basin suffered from extreme heat and drought in early autumn.

These adverse weather patterns are symptomatic of the broader impacts of global warming, which is primarily driven by the excessive burning of fossil fuels. Warmer air can retain more water vapor, and elevated sea temperatures lead to intense evaporation, resulting in severe storms and downpours. The consequences of such climatic shifts have been extensive, causing damage to property and agricultural losses that have monetary implications as well. According to Swiss Re, natural disasters in 2024 alone led to economic losses amounting to $310 billion globally.

These events unfold against the backdrop of international climate agreements aimed at limiting global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, with a goal of achieving an increase of no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius if feasible.

As the United Nations highlighted, the average surface temperature for the period from January to September in 2024 was 1.54 degrees Celsius above the established pre-industrial average, measured between 1850 and 1900. The collective evidence points to an urgent need for worldwide action to mitigate the effects of climate change that are increasingly costly and catastrophic.

The article addresses the concerning trend of rising temperatures in China, emphasizing the impact of climate change as evidenced by record-high temperatures and extreme weather patterns. Climate change is predominantly caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases, with China being the leading emitter. The article connects this increase in temperature to broader global phenomena, referencing international climate agreements aimed at controlling rising temperatures. Furthermore, it highlights specific weather events within China that illustrate the direct human and economic toll of climate change, particularly through destructive flooding and other natural disasters.

In summary, 2024 has emerged as a pivotal year in the context of climate change, marking the highest recorded temperatures in China’s history and contributing to a globally warm environment. The implications of such conditions are profound, manifesting in severe weather events that threaten lives and economic stability. As scientists and governments aim to address this escalating crisis, the evidence presented underscores the urgent necessity for sustained and effective action to combat further environmental degradation.

Original Source: www.france24.com