Asia heating up twice as fast: Climate change report cites recent events
With the world already struggling to find ways to effectively address climate change, a new report on the global crisis has sounded concerns, especially for Asian, with fresh water sources and coastal areas seriously threatened.The World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) "State of the Climate in Asia 2024" report has highlighted alarming climate changes across Asia recently, saying the continent has heated up twice as fast as the rest of the world.advertisementThe report reveals that the continent is facing unprecedented environmental challenges, saying in 2024, Asia experienced one of the warmest years on record.
With average temperatures averaging 1.04 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 baseline, the continent is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, the report said.The rapid temperature rise has accelerated glacier melting in key mountain ranges, including the Himalayas and the Tian Shan mountain range in Central Asia, threatening vital freshwater sources and ecosystems.SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE RISE RISKS COASTAL AREASAccording to the State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report, sea-surface temperatures in the region have also soared to record highs. Due to the record-high temperatures, sea levels along Asia's Pacific and Indian Ocean coastlines rose faster than the global average. These trends have heightened the vulnerability of millions living in coastal areas of the continent, including India.They are increasing risks from flooding and storm surges. The continent also saw a sharp increase in extreme weather events throughout 2024.CONTINENT BRACES FOR DEADLY HEATWAVEadvertisementThe report further claimed that prolonged heat waves struck parts of Asia, causing hundreds of heat-related deaths, particularly in India and Japan. Marine heatwaves expanded dramatically, reaching a record 15 million square kilometers, severely impacting marine biodiversity. Tropical Cyclone Yagi emerged as the strongest storm of the year, inflicting widespread damage across Southeast Asia. Yagi left dozens dead in northern Vietnam last September.Also, Central Asia faced its worst floods in over 70 years, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced unprecedented rainfall, severely disrupting infrastructure. Nepal endured devastating floods in September 2024, resulting in at least 246 fatalities. However, timely early warning systems and coordinated response efforts helped save thousands of lives.NEED FOR URGENT CLIMATE STRATEGIESThe report underlines the urgent need for robust climate adaptation strategies. It emphasises the critical role of national meteorological services in improving disaster preparedness to protect lives and livelihoods in an era of escalating climate risks.As Asia's climate continues to warm rapidly, proactive measures are essential to mitigate the human and economic toll of these extreme environmental changes, it added.- EndsMust Watch
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