The year 2024 was China’s hottest on record, with an average temperature of 10.92 degrees Celsius, 1.03 degrees above average. This trend reflects a worldwide increase in extreme weather attributed to climate change, with significant impacts such as floods and economic losses exceeding $310 billion. China, as the leading emitter of greenhouse gases, faces challenges in meeting its climate commitments amid these rising temperatures.
In 2024, China recorded its hottest year ever, according to the China Meteorological Administration. The national average temperature reached 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing previous records and exceeding the average by 1.03 degrees. The significant rise in temperatures is emblematic of a larger global trend, where extreme weather events are becoming increasingly prevalent due to climate change. It is noteworthy that the four hottest years in China’s recorded history have all occurred within the past four years, while all ten of the warmest years since systematic records began in 1961 have taken place in the 21st century.
Moreover, as the 2024 weather patterns led to devastating flooding in China that resulted in numerous fatalities and extensive evacuations, the broader implications of climate change are being felt worldwide, encompassing destructive floods in Spain and Kenya, severe storms in the United States and the Philippines, and catastrophic droughts and wildfires across parts of South America. Estimated economic losses from natural disasters in 2024 reached approximately $310 billion, as reported by Swiss Re, an insurance company based in Zurich.
The record-setting temperatures in 2024 highlight the urgent issue of climate change, which is largely attributed to greenhouse gas emissions from leading polluters such as China. As the foremost emitter of these gases, China faces the dual challenge of reducing its carbon footprint while maintaining economic growth. Despite pledges made by the Chinese government to cap emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events raise questions about the effectiveness and timelines of these commitments. The global temperature rise is closely linked to these extreme weather phenomena, which are contributing to significant human and economic costs around the world.
In summary, the year 2024 marked a pivotal moment for climate awareness, especially in China, where record temperatures signal an urgent need for comprehensive climate action. With global temperatures rising and extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, the impacts of climate change are increasingly evident. As nations, particularly those with substantial carbon emissions like China, work towards pledges aimed at reducing their ecological footprints, the urgency for effective climate policies and disaster preparedness remains paramount.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
