Japan’s weather agency reported that 2024 was the hottest year on record since 1898, with average temperatures rising 1.48 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average. Climate change, exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions, has led to extreme weather patterns and significant impacts on public safety. Japan aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 with a proposed increase in renewable energy to 40-50 percent by 2040, yet remains reliant on fossil fuels.
Japan’s meteorological agency has announced that 2024 has recorded the highest temperatures since data collection began in 1898, aligning with a pattern observed in other countries due to escalating greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. Average temperatures in Japan from January to December were found to be 1.48 degrees Celsius above the average calculated between 1991 and 2020. Notably, this surpasses the previous year’s anomaly of 1.29 degrees Celsius, highlighting an alarming trend of rising temperatures, which have increased at a rate of 1.40 degrees Celsius per century since the 1990s.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has attributed this rise partially to climate change, with official Kaoru Takahashi noting that shifting westerly winds, which carry warmer air, are significant contributors. Additionally, the summer of 2024 was recorded as the joint hottest alongside 2023, while autumn set a new precedent as the warmest ever documented. Moreover, for the first time on record, Mount Fuji displayed no snow cover until early November, whereas it typically sees snow by early October.
The effects of climate change are also leading to an increased frequency of severe weather events in Japan, notably heavy rains, which can overwhelm infrastructure and threaten public safety. In tragic incidents last year, severe flooding in the Noto Peninsula resulted in 16 fatalities, while heavy rains in November necessitated mass evacuations. These environmental concerns are mirrored globally, with countries such as India, China, and Germany experiencing their own temperature records in 2024.
Despite Japan’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and a commitment to reducing emissions by 46 percent by 2030 from 2013 levels, concerns persist regarding its reliance on fossil fuels. Fossil energy still constitutes nearly 70 percent of the nation’s power generation, making its energy mix the most carbon-intensive among G7 nations. Recent government initiatives seek to significantly enhance the share of renewable energy sources by 2040, raising expectations for a transition towards a more sustainable energy framework.
In summary, Japan’s official climate records point to an alarming rise in temperatures, underscoring the urgent need for effective climate action amid escalating environmental challenges. The country’s strategies to mitigate climate impacts will be pivotal in addressing these pressing issues.
The announcement from Japan’s meteorological agency concerning the year 2024 highlights the escalating impacts of climate change, which, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, has produced unprecedented temperature increases across various countries worldwide. The trend not only affects average weather patterns but also leads to extreme weather phenomena, such as flooding, landslides, and longer periods of warmer seasons. The implications of these trends are profound for environmental sustainability and public safety, prompting calls for a reevaluation of energy policies and broader climate action plans.
In conclusion, the record-high temperatures in Japan for 2024 signify a critical moment in the ongoing battle against climate change, as the country grapples with rising average temperatures and their associated impacts. The shifting climate conditions call for immediate and sustained efforts towards enhancing renewable energy sources, alongside comprehensive strategies to mitigate severe weather-related risks. Addressing these challenges is not only crucial for Japan but also for global climate health.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
