Results for: Climate Change

Asia faced the brunt of climate change in 2023, with 79 extreme climate disasters impacting over 9 million people. The report from the World Meteorological Organization highlights rising temperatures and sea levels, which are already affecting societies and economies. The region saw record-breaking heatwaves, floods, and landslides, resulting in over 2,000 fatalities. India was particularly affected by heatwaves, while the North Indian Ocean experienced above-average tropical cyclone activity. The report also raises concerns about the gap between climate projections and Asia’s ability to adapt and mitigate these impacts.

According to the United Nations, climate-related disasters, primarily floods and storms, devastated Asia in 2023, causing numerous fatalities and severe economic losses. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that heatwaves in the region are intensifying, threatening water security. Asia experienced a significant temperature increase of approximately two degrees Celsius last year compared to global average warming. The WMO emphasizes the urgency of addressing these climate challenges, especially through emission reductions and adaptation measures.

Asia bore the brunt of natural disasters in 2023, with 79 extreme weather events affecting over 9 million people and claiming more than 2,000 lives. Floods and storms were the predominant hazards, accounting for over 80% of reported incidents. Despite a slight decrease in event numbers compared to 2022, the impact on India was significant, with heatwaves, floods, glacial lake outbursts, and tropical cyclones causing widespread damage.

Angela Wilkinson, the secretary general of the World Energy Council, discussed energy trends at the 26th World Energy Congress in Rotterdam. She spoke with CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick and shared her insights on the future of energy.

A significant portion of the global workforce faces health risks due to climate change, including excessive heat, UV radiation, air pollution, vector-borne diseases, and agrochemicals. The ILO estimates that 2.4 billion workers were exposed to excessive heat in 2020, with almost 23 million occupational injuries and 19,000 deaths attributed to it annually. Other climate-related health conditions include cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, kidney dysfunction, and mental health issues.

The National Weather Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have launched a new heat risk system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors to provide a seven-day forecast of heat risk, color-coded for easy comprehension. The system introduces magenta as the deadliest of five heat threat categories, indicating extreme heat with little to no overnight relief. The heat risk categories range from pale green (little to no risk) to yellow (minor risk), orange (moderate risk), red (major risk), and magenta (deadliest risk). The system relies on science-based numerical thresholds to determine heat risk levels and considers local weather data, climatology, and health data. The CDC and Weather Service websites provide access to the heat risk tool, allowing users to enter their ZIP code for localized information. The system aims to simplify heat risk communication and enhance preparedness and planning to reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths as climate change intensifies heat waves.

Unusually heavy rainfall has swamped cities in China’s Pearl River Delta, triggering flooding and raising concerns about the region’s flood defenses. The downpours, the most intense in decades, have inundated streets and homes, forcing thousands to evacuate. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the heavy rainfall continues and the risk of further flooding remains high.

In 2023, Europe experienced a year of extreme weather events, including devastating floods in northern countries and widespread drought in the south. The European State of the Climate report highlights that the continent is warming up twice as fast as the global average, leading to an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme events.

Satellite images from ISRO show a significant expansion of glacial lakes in the Himalayas over the past 3-4 decades. Over 600 lakes have doubled in size, raising concerns about Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), which can have devastating downstream impacts. The study highlights the need for monitoring and understanding glacial lake dynamics for GLOF risk management and climate change adaptation.

A recent UN report warns that over 2.4 billion people are at risk of extreme heat exposure at work, with devastating consequences for their health and safety. Excessive heat, severe weather, UV radiation, and air pollution are already leading to a rise in diseases and deaths among workers worldwide.

The report highlights the urgent need to prioritize occupational safety and health in climate change responses. Employers must protect workers from these hazards by providing proper protection and following safety protocols. The young man’s death in Florida serves as a tragic reminder of the fatal consequences of neglecting heat exposure prevention.