Samaan Lateef | New Delhi
The heatwave that struck Asia in April was intensified by climate change, causing temperatures to increase by 2 degrees Celsius, reveals a recent study.
Many parts of Asia experienced a devastating heatwave, with temperatures rising by at least 2 degrees Celsius due to the impacts of climate change. The research further indicates that climate change has increased the likelihood of such heatwaves by 30 times.
In April, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Laos witnessed unprecedented record-breaking temperatures, soaring up to 45 degrees Celsius. This scorching heatwave led to tragic consequences, including fatalities, melted roads, and a significant influx of patients in hospitals.
Several other Asian countries, including China, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines, are also grappling with abnormally high temperatures. In Thailand, the heatwave was exacerbated by high humidity and a simultaneous outbreak of forest fires, as highlighted by a study conducted by the independent research institute, World Weather Attribution.
In the Philippines, temperatures reached 37 degrees Celsius five days later, resulting in numerous cases of heatstroke among approximately 150 schoolchildren. Tragically, in Navi Mumbai, India, thirteen individuals lost their lives to heatstroke after attending an awards ceremony.
Maximiliano Herrara, a climate historian who monitors extreme weather patterns, referred to this heatwave as the “worst in Asian history.”
Heatwaves remain one of the deadliest natural hazards globally, causing a significant number of related fatalities each year. However, the true impact of a heatwave often takes weeks or months to fully comprehend, as scientists record and analyze the data.
Emmanuel Raju, one of the authors of the study based in Copenhagen, emphasizes that the most vulnerable populations, including the impoverished and those who work outdoors such as farmers, street vendors, and construction workers, will bear the brunt of the heatwave’s effects.
The research group responsible for the study employs weather data and computer models to assess the extent to which climate change contributes to extreme weather events. Although their studies are not peer-reviewed, they are often published in reputable scientific journals.
The scientists behind the study issued a statement, asserting that global temperatures will continue to rise, leading to more frequent and severe events like this heatwave unless greenhouse gas emissions are halted.
Furthermore, another recent study warns that we are on the verge of surpassing a crucial temperature threshold for the first time in the coming years. Scientists predict a 66% chance of exceeding the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming limit between now and 2027. This underscores the urgency of taking decisive action to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The study emphasized the disproportionate impact of the heatwave on vulnerable communities, particularly those living in poverty and individuals who work outdoors, such as farmers, street vendors, and construction workers. These groups are more susceptible to the adverse effects of extreme heat.
The research findings underline the urgent need to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the increasing frequency and severity of such heatwaves. The scientific community stresses that global temperatures will continue to rise unless significant measures are taken to curb climate change.
In addition to the heatwave’s consequences in Asia, another study warns that there is a significant likelihood of surpassing the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming threshold within the next few years. This serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for immediate action to combat climate change and its devastating impacts.
