25 Apr 2024 State of the Climate in Asia 2023
THIS ARTICLE COVERS ‘DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS’ AND THE TOPIC DETAILS OF ”State of the Climate in Asia 2023”. THIS TOPIC IS RELEVANT IN THE “Environment” SECTION OF THE UPSC CSE EXAM.
Why in the news?
Recently, a report published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said floods and storms were the main cause of casualties and economic damage in 2023, while the impact of heat waves became more severe. “Many countries in the region experienced their hottest year on record in 2023, along with a barrage of extreme conditions, from droughts and heatwaves to floods and storms,” WMO chief Celeste Saulo said in a statement.
Key highlights of the State of the Climate in Asia 2023’ Report:
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- It found that Asia has been warming faster than the global average, with temperature rises in 2023 averaging nearly 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1961-90 average.
- In 2023, the 79 events associated with extreme weather, climate, and water-related hazards affected over 9 million people in the region and directly killed over 2,000 people. Japan experienced its hottest summer on record.
- Glaciers in High-Mountain Asia have experienced accelerated mass loss over the last 40 years, significantly worsened by 2023’s record temperatures and dry conditions in the Eastern Himalayas and Tien Shan.
- Since 1982, the ocean around Asia has shown a warming trend, with 2023 seeing record-high sea-surface temperature anomalies in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
- South-west China suffered from drought because of the below-normal precipitation levels nearly every month of 2023.
- Floods and storms make up 80% of hydrometeorological hazards, with heavy rainfall causing widespread flooding in Yemen as an example.
- India faced severe weather impacts, including heat waves, floods, glacial outbursts, and cyclones.
- Between April and June 2023, severe heat waves caused about 110 deaths due to heatstroke in India.
- In 2023, floods in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, India, resulted in 25 deaths and significant damage, leading to a government-declared state of emergency and the launch of rescue efforts.
- In 2023, the Indian sub-continent witnessed six tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean, slightly exceeding the average with four in the Bay of Bengal—Mocha, Hamoon, Midhili, Michaung—and two in the Arabian Sea—Biparjoy and Tej.
Approaches to address the climate issues:
Addressing climate issues requires a comprehensive approach involving multiple strategies at different levels of society, and reducing climate change damage requires a multi-faceted approach that involves individuals, communities, businesses, governments, and international cooperation. Here are some key approaches to addressing the climate issues:
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- Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The primary driver of anthropogenic climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Reducing these emissions through measures like Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
- Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): CCS technologies aim to capture CO2 emissions from industrial processes or directly from the atmosphere and store them underground or in other long-term storage facilities, preventing them from entering the atmosphere and contributing to global warming. Planting trees and restoring forests can help absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, acting as a natural carbon sink.
- Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Crop Diversification: Build and retrofit infrastructure to withstand climate-related hazards such as extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and flooding. Promote diverse and resilient agricultural practices that can adapt to changing climate conditions.
- Education and Awareness: Raise public awareness about the causes and consequences of climate change. Promote education and training on sustainable practices and technologies. Encourage behaviour change and consumer choices that reduce carbon footprints.
- Water Management and Ecosystem Restoration: Enhance water conservation and management practices to cope with changing precipitation patterns and water scarcity. Restore and protect natural ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and coral reefs to enhance resilience to climate change impacts.
- Research and Development: Invest in developing clean energy technologies, carbon capture and storage, and other climate solutions. Scale up deploying existing climate-friendly technologies and innovations to accelerate emissions reductions and adaptation efforts.
- Policy and Governance: Develop and implement ambitious national climate action plans with targets for emissions reductions, renewable energy deployment, and adaptation measures. Collaborate with other countries to strengthen global climate agreements and commitments, such as the Paris Agreement. Enact and enforce regulations to limit transportation, industry, and agriculture emissions.
About World Metrological Organisation (WMO):
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting international cooperation in meteorology (the science of the atmosphere and its phenomena) and related fields. It was established in 1950 and has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Its primary objectives are multifaceted and focus on enhancing global meteorological capabilities. One of the main goals of the WMO is to facilitate the exchange of meteorological information among nations. This is crucial for forecasting weather and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events, which can save lives and protect property.
Another significant objective is the standardization of meteorological observations and data. This ensures that the data collected from different parts of the world are comparable and can be reliably used in global climate models and weather forecasting.
WMO facilitates international cooperation in research and technology development in meteorology and related fields. This involves coordinating global efforts to advance our understanding of meteorological phenomena and developing new weather observation and prediction technologies.
Download Yojna daily current affairs eng med 25th April 2024
Prelims Practice Question:
Q. Consider the following statements about the State of the Climate in Asia 2023 report:
- The report was published by the World Metrological Organisation(WMO).
- According to the report, Asia has faced the most number of disasters in the world in 2023
Which of the above statements is correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: C
Mains Practice Question:
Q. How can disaster management strategies be adapted to address the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters due to climate change?
Q. How can international cooperation in disaster management be enhanced to address the global challenge of climate change and ethical considerations in prioritizing disaster management resources in areas most affected by climate change?
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