In 2024, human-induced climate change led to 41 additional days of extreme heat, adversely affecting public health and economic productivity. A report by World Weather Attribution and Climate Central emphasized the need for a transition from fossil fuels to mitigate ongoing climate-related disasters, which resulted in significant casualties and economic losses. Dr. Friederike Otto highlighted the destructive nature of these extreme weather events. This year is poised to become the hottest on record, with unprecedented temperature rises and increased occurrences of weather extremes.
In 2024, human-induced climate change resulted in an average of 41 additional days of extreme heat, posing significant threats to both public health and ecosystems, according to an analytic report summarizing the year. This report emphasizes that increased heat stress not only endangers human well-being but also adversely affects workforce productivity. A study published in Lancet noted that in 2023, India suffered potential income losses totaling $141 billion due to reduced labor capacity as a result of heat stress.
The combined findings of World Weather Attribution and Climate Central highlight the urgent need for a rapid transition away from fossil fuel reliance to prevent an ongoing future laden with destructive heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, storms, and flooding. The report indicates that climate change significantly intensified 26 out of 29 extreme weather events analyzed, contributing to over 3,700 fatalities and the displacement of millions. It further asserts that climate change exerted a more potent influence than the El Niño phenomenon on these severe weather events.
Dr. Friederike Otto, lead of the World Weather Attribution and a Senior Lecturer in Climate Science at Imperial College London, remarked, “Extreme weather killed thousands of people, forced millions from their homes this year and caused unrelenting suffering. The floods in Spain, hurricanes in the US, drought in the Amazon, and floods across Africa are just a few examples.”
This year is projected to be the warmest on record, with the first half of 2024 exhibiting unprecedented temperatures. This trend, continuing from 2023, has resulted in the world experiencing its hottest day on record on July 22. The increase in dangerous heat days, calculated to include the top 10% of high temperatures between 1991-2020, primarily stems from human-induced warming.
The occurrence of extreme weather has been widespread, with 219 significant events meeting the trigger criteria established by World Weather Attribution. Although the start of 2024 saw impacts from the El Niño phenomenon—known for inducing both storms and drought—analyses conducted by WWA indicate that the foremost influence originated from climate change itself, particularly underscored by the severe Amazon drought as a case in point.
The issue of climate change has been a central concern globally, as its effects manifest in the form of extreme weather events, severe heat, and other environmental crises. A growing body of research continues to illustrate the profound impact of climate change on public health, economic productivity, and ecological balance. Notably, the relationships between increased temperatures and reductions in labor capacity have economic ramifications, as highlighted by recent studies on potential income losses. Organizations such as World Weather Attribution work rigorously to analyze and ascribe causes to various extreme weather events, aiding in the understanding of how human activities exacerbate ecological conditions.
In summary, the findings from the 2024 year-in-review report underscore the ominous implications of human-caused climate change. The addition of 41 dangerous heat days, intensified extreme weather events, and significant economic losses exemplify the urgent need for immediate action to mitigate these impacts. The evidence indicates that transitioning away from fossil fuel dependency is crucial in addressing the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, ensuring better health and stability for future generations.
Original Source: www.businesstoday.in
