Climate crisis has caused soaring temperatures across Asia, from Gaza to Manila.
Scientists have found that the climate crisis is the primary cause of the record heat wave in the Philippines in April. Temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius were recorded throughout Asia in April, leading to numerous fatalities, water shortages in several countries, crop failures, and the closure of many schools.
Scientists have found that the climate crisis is the primary cause of the record heat wave in the Philippines in April. (Photo: Anadolu).
Research indicates that the likelihood of extreme temperatures occurring is 45 times higher than normal in India and five times higher in Israel and Palestine. Scientists have noted that the high temperatures have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The latest research results show that the global warming trend is one of the causes of extreme weather events worldwide. Statistics reveal that the average temperature of the Earth is currently 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels.
At the end of March, an “unrealistic” heat wave struck West Africa and the Sahel, with daily temperatures reaching as high as 48.5 degrees Celsius, resulting in numerous casualties.
Heat-related deaths are underreported in many countries. However, studies over the past two decades indicate that millions have died due to extreme temperatures. In Europe, the number of temperature-related deaths has also increased by 25% over the last decade.
Many people flocked to the beaches of the Philippines to cool off during the April heat wave. (Photo: BenarNews).
Scientists warn that worse is yet to come. If global temperatures rise by an additional 2 degrees Celsius, devastating heat waves will recur every 2-3 years in the Philippines and every five years in Israel, Palestine, and neighboring countries.
Recently, hundreds of climate scientists shared with The Guardian that they expect global temperatures to rise by at least 2.5 degrees Celsius if the world does not take action to reduce fossil fuel use.
“From Gaza to Manila, people are suffering from the heat. The death toll due to high temperatures has surged in Asia during April,” said Dr. Friederike Otto, a member of the World Weather Attribution (WWA) research team.
“Emissions from oil, gas, and coal have significantly increased temperatures. This issue has led to many fatalities,” Dr. Otto added.
“The brutal heat has intensified the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The people here are already limited in their access to food, drinking water, and healthcare services. Now, they must crowd into hot, cramped shelters or live in dangerous outdoor environments with extreme temperatures,” he analyzed.
The Plight of El Niño
The WWA study examined three regions that endured extreme heat in April. The global warming trend has raised temperatures by an additional 1.7 degrees Celsius in Israel, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, and by 1 degree Celsius in the Philippines—a country where 4,000 schools had to close due to the heat.
The WWA research surveyed India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. Scientists utilized weather data and climate models to determine the likelihood of extreme heat events persisting.
Rapid urbanization, which shrinks green spaces, is one of the causes of extreme weather in Asia. (Photo: Anadolu).
As a result, they found that the El Niño phenomenon, while increasing global temperatures, has little effect on the likelihood of more heat waves. “Climate change is the determining factor for the formation of extreme temperatures,” Dr. Otto stated.
“Asia has some of the largest and fastest-growing cities in the world,” researcher Pereira Marghidan noted. “This rapid urbanization has led to unplanned development, widespread concrete construction, and the shrinking of green spaces in many cities.”
She mentioned that outdoor workers such as farmers and street vendors are the most vulnerable. The research indicates that countries need to urgently improve social welfare programs and address extreme heat waves.
According to statistics from The Guardian, hundreds of studies show that global warming is the primary cause of extreme weather events occurring this year. “If the world does not take significant steps to reduce emissions and keep the temperature rise at 1.5 degrees Celsius, extreme temperatures will lead to crises in Asian countries,” she warned.
