Climate Crisis Fuels Intense Heatwaves Globally
The climate crisis is fueling extreme heat events around the world, with 2024 potentially marking the peak of this trend.
Prolonged Heatwaves Persist
According to the National Weather Forecasting Center, several regions across the country are experiencing temperatures exceeding 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing severe heatwave thresholds.
In Hanoi, the highest recorded temperature on April 27 reached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and is expected to persist until April 30.
Severe heat of 38-40 degrees Celsius (100-104 degrees Fahrenheit) has also been observed in Son La, Hoa Binh, and provinces from Thanh Hoa to Phu Yen. In the southern region, temperatures of 35-38 degrees Celsius (95-100 degrees Fahrenheit) have been recorded for several days, with some areas exceeding 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit).
El Niño and Climate Change Amplify Heat
Globally, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that the El Niño phenomenon, combined with climate change, could push global temperatures to unprecedented levels.
In South and Southeast Asia, extreme heat has pushed heat index values beyond 47 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas between April 25-27. A particularly extreme case occurred in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 25, where the heat index surpassed 52 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit).
Earlier in April, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US also forecasted an "above-normal" summer in parts of the country, stretching from the northwest to the southwest.
The combination of heat and reduced precipitation could increase the risk of droughts and wildfires in some regions.
March Set New Heat Record
Earlier in March, scientists from the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that February was the warmest February on record since records began in 1940.
Temperatures are now on track to rise by a critical 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, triggering irreversible consequences for the planet.
2024: Projected Hottest Year and Climate Crisis Impacts
Historic Temperatures Predicted
Climate models from NOAA to Copernicus project that 2024 is likely the hottest year on record due to the "double whammy" effect of climate change and El Niño. El Niño is expected to significantly contribute to the global temperature increase.
Severe Impacts on Weather, Ecosystems, and Society
The projected temperature rise will have dire impacts on weather patterns, ecosystems, and human societies. It will likely trigger new extremes in weather events and exacerbate existing climate change-related challenges.
"We are clearly facing a climate crisis that threatens life on our planet," said William Ripple, an ecologist at Oregon State University, in a recent study.
"Statistical trends are showing alarming and accelerating patterns that are consistent with what we would expect with a changing climate and specifically with specific types of climate-related disasters."
Ripple also emphasized that the study found few positive signals indicating that humanity is reversing climate change. Scientists warn that humans are pushing Earth's biosphere systems into a "danger zone of instability."
Dire Predictions for Human Habitation
Specifically, the study projects that by the end of the century, 1/3 to 1/2 of the global population (3-6 billion people) could be pushed out of the "habitable zone" where human survival is possible due to extreme heat and food shortages.
Scientists argue that humanity is overexploiting Earth, and politicians must act urgently to address these issues. Only then can we secure a livable future amidst the mounting challenges posed by climate change.