The climate crisis is causing severe heatwaves around the world, and 2024 could mark the peak of this period.
Widespread and Prolonged Heatwaves
According to the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, many areas across the country are recording temperatures exceeding 39 degrees Celsius, surpassing the threshold for intense heat.
Many places around the world are entering harsh summer heat (Photo: Getty).
In Hanoi, the highest recorded temperature on April 27 reached 40 degrees Celsius, and it is expected to persist until the end of April 30.
Severe heat of 38-40 degrees Celsius has also been recorded in Son La, Hoa Binh, and provinces from Thanh Hoa to Phu Yen. In the southern region, temperatures of 35-38 degrees Celsius have been consistently observed for several days, with some areas exceeding 39 degrees Celsius.
Globally, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that the El Niño phenomenon combined with climate change could push global temperatures to unprecedented levels.
In South Asia and Southeast Asia, extreme heat in some areas has pushed the heat index above 47 degrees Celsius from April 25-27. A notable case was recorded in Thailand on April 25, when the heat index in the capital, Bangkok, exceeded 52 degrees Celsius.
At the beginning of April, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also forecasted an “unusually hot” summer in many regions across the United States, extending from the northwest to the southwest.
The combination of extreme heat and low rainfall may increase the risk of drought and wildfires in some areas.
Earlier in March, scientists from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Agency reported that February was the hottest February on record since 1940.
There, temperatures rose to a critical level of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, leading to irreversible consequences for the planet.
2024: Forecasted to be the Hottest Year and Consequences of the Climate Crisis
2024 is likely to be the hottest year ever recorded (Photo: Getty).
From NOAA to Copernicus, climate models predict that 2024 may be the hottest year on record due to the “dual” influence of climate change and the El Niño phenomenon. The El Niño phenomenon is expected to significantly contribute to the rise in global temperatures.
Such an increase in temperatures will have severe impacts on weather patterns, ecosystems, and human society. Alongside this, there is a possibility of new extreme weather events and a worsening of challenges related to climate change.
“Life on our planet is clearly under threat,” says William Ripple, an ecologist at Oregon State University, in a recent study.
“Statistical trends indicate alarming patterns, reflected through variables and specific disaster cases related to climate.”
On another note, Ripple emphasized that the research found very few positive signals suggesting humanity can combat climate change. Scientists indicate that humans are pushing Earth’s biosphere systems into a state of “instability and danger.”
Specifically, by the end of this century, studies predict that about 1/3 to 1/2 of the world’s population (equivalent to 3-6 billion people) could be pushed out of “habitable areas.” This means they may face extreme heat and food scarcity.
Scientists also assert that humanity is over-exploiting the Earth, and politicians must urgently fight for policies that address this issue.
Only then can we seize the opportunity for survival amid the long-term challenges posed by climate change.
