Rapid Warming in Asia Outpaces Global Average, According to United Nations Study
Asia Faces Unprecedented Climate Challenges in 2024, According to United Nations Report
The United Nations has published a new report titled "State of the Climate in Asia 2024", highlighting the severe and escalating impacts of global warming on the Asian region. The report reveals that 2024 was the warmest year on record in Asia, marked by devastating heatwaves, extreme rainfall, cyclones, and droughts affecting large parts of the continent.
According to the report, the global mean temperature reached 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels, the highest recorded to date, intensifying climate risks in Asia. The report also notes significant glacier mass loss in the Himalayas and Tian Shan mountains, with 23 out of 24 monitored glaciers shrinking, raising the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
Marine heatwaves of unprecedented intensity and extent struck Asian oceans, particularly near India, Japan, and China, affecting marine ecosystems. Major cyclones such as Remal, Asna, and Fengal brought destructive winds and storm surges to South Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. Flash floods and landslides in areas like Kerala (India), Nepal, and Sri Lanka caused hundreds of deaths and large-scale displacement.
Countries including Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, and India experienced record-breaking heatwaves, with Myanmar recording a national high of 48.2°C. A severe drought in China affected 4.8 million people, damaged over 335,000 hectares of crops, and caused economic losses of about CNY 2.89 billion.
The report underscores the urgent need for both robust emission reductions and enhanced adaptation efforts in Asian countries to manage these rising threats. The broader context of UN climate assessments emphasizes the extreme risks to vulnerable populations, particularly those in low-lying and impoverished regions of Asia, urging swift and significant global action to curb emissions and manage climate impacts.
The World Meteorological Organisation's report shows that between 1991 and 2024, Asia's warming rate nearly doubled compared to the 1961-1990 period. Ocean temperatures around Asia have risen at a rate of 0.24°C per decade over the past ten years, nearly double the global average. The WMO emphasises the critical need for improved early warning systems and climate adaptation strategies in Asia.
Heavy rainfall and landslides in Kerala, southern India, killed more than 350 people in July 2024. Typhoon Yagi alone, which battered Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and China, claimed over 1,000 lives in 2024. The United Arab Emirates experienced its heaviest rainfall since records began in 1949 in 2024, with similar conditions affecting Bahrain, Oman, and Iran.
The report states that climate variability is causing unacceptable damage and that the ability to predict increasingly volatile weather is more critical than ever to save lives and livelihoods. As the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, it is clear that the Asian region is on the front lines of this global crisis.
- In light of the United Nations report, it's essential for Asian countries to invest in environmental science to better understand and mitigate the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.
- To combat the rising threats posed by climate change, it's crucial for Asian countries to prioritize health-and-wellness by implementing policies that promote adaptability to extreme weather conditions and boost the resilience of vulnerable populations.
- As the UN report reveals, the escalating impacts of global warming in Asia have significant repercussions beyond the environment, imposing challenges on the region's sport, education, and economic sectors.
