China Records Hottest Year on Record in 2024: A Climate Crisis Unfolding
In 2024, China recorded its hottest year on record with an average national temperature of 10.92°C (51.66°F), surpassing 2023 by 1.03°C. All top ten warmest years since records began in 1961 occurred in the 21st century. The country also experienced unprecedented weather events, resulting in deaths and significant economic losses due to climate-related disasters.
In 2024, China recorded its highest average temperature since systematic temperature observations commenced in 1961, according to the China Meteorological Administration. The national average reached 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous year’s temperature by 1.03 degrees. This year marks a continuation of a worrying trend, with the last four years accounting for the warmest years in China’s recorded history. The administration noted that all records of the top ten warmest years since 1961 belong to the 21st century.
Shanghai, a major urban center, reported its warmest year since records began in 1873, with an average temperature of 18.8 degrees Celsius (65.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Additionally, the southern city of Guangzhou experienced an unprecedented lengthy summer, with days exceeding an average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 degrees Fahrenheit) for a record-breaking 240 days. These anomalously high temperatures were coupled with extreme weather events, including destructive storms and significant rainfall.
Last year, many areas experienced disastrous flooding, leading to casualties and mass evacuations. In May, a highway in southern China collapsed, resulting in 48 fatalities. Severe heatwaves and drought impacted regions such as Sichuan and Chongqing in early autumn, further exemplifying the extreme climatic variations faced by the nation. Activists have underscored the growing concerns associated with extreme heat trends in the country.
The United Nations noted that 2024 is projected to be the warmest year ever globally, correlating with the patterns of temperature rises attributed to climate change, primarily driven by fossil fuel emissions. Warmer atmospheric conditions not only escalate temperatures but also increase the potential for extreme weather phenomena. A report from Swiss Re estimated that climate-related disasters inflicted roughly $310 billion in economic losses during 2024, illuminating the dire consequences of these climatic changes.
The ongoing impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident across the globe, particularly in countries like China, which is grappling with rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns. Since the inception of systematic temperature recording, the frequency of higher temperature averages has escalated. This situation reflects wider global trends, showing that the current decade is witnessing unprecedented climatic phenomena, necessitating urgent attention to mitigate further environmental degradation and loss of life.
In summary, 2024 has emerged as a pivotal year for climate reporting in China, marking the highest average national temperatures recorded since 1961. The implications of these climate shifts reach far beyond mere statistics, influencing lives, economies, and ecosystems. As the nation continues to confront increasingly severe weather events and economic repercussions from climate-related disasters, a comprehensive approach toward climate action and sustainability is more critical than ever.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
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