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Asia Warming Twice as Fast as Global Average: WMO 2024
ASIA WARMING NEARLY TWICE GLOBAL AVERAGE: WMO REPORT 2024
Why in the News?
- WMO report: Asia recorded warmest or second warmest year in 2024, with temperature 1.04°C above the 30-year average.
- Rapid warming: Asia is warming at nearly twice the global average, triggering extreme weather events.
- Human impact: India faced deaths from cyclones, heatwaves, landslides, and floods, as highlighted in the State of Climate in Asia 2024 child protection report.
Key Weather Events in 2024
- Cyclones: 29 tropical cyclones, with Cyclone Yagi causing billions in damage; three cyclones hit the Indian subcontinent, killing 140+ people.
- Heatwaves: India saw 450+ deaths from extreme heat; temperatures reached 45-50°C; 1,300 deaths from lightning.
- Marine heatwaves: Record marine heatwaves impacted 15 million sq km, especially the Northern Indian Ocean and East Asia seas.
- Glacier loss: 23 out of 24 glaciers in High Mountain Asia lost mass due to reduced snowfall and summer heat.
Broader Climate Trends in Asia
- Temperature rise: Warming trend 1991-2024 was double that of 1961-1990.
- Affected regions: Western China, Japan, Middle East, Siberia saw record-breaking warmth.
- Extreme rainfall: Western Asia, Balochistan, parts of Myanmar, Japan, and Siberian plains experienced above-normal rainfall.
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN ASIA● Heat extremes: Asia faces frequent heatwaves, intensifying public health risks. ● Glacial melt: Accelerates sea-level rise and disrupts river systems. ● Marine impact: Marine heatwaves threaten fisheries and coastal ecosystems. ● Extreme weather: Increasing cyclone frequency, intense rainfall, and flooding events. ● Policy need: Urgent action needed on adaptation, resilience, and emissions reduction in Asia. |
