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Opinion | As global temperatures soar, we must act faster to tackle climate change
- Efforts to develop more renewable energy and increase the adoption of electric vehicles – and move away from fossil fuels – have increased
- But amid record-breaking heatwaves, all nations need to accelerate action to limit global warming to the target of 1.5 degrees
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Global temperatures are soaring, with heat levels never experienced before, in our warming world. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, human-induced greenhouse gas emissions will lead temperatures to soar to record highs over the next five years.
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Large portions of South and Southeast Asia saw record-breaking heat spells in April, causing scientists to warn that 2023 may break more temperature records as the planet’s climatic patterns alter and global warming worsens.
Spain and Africa, Canada and even the Pacific northwest have witnessed early heatwaves. Vietnam reported its highest temperature on record, 44.2 degrees Celsius, last month, which caused power outages. The Philippines had to cut back on class times when the heat index rose to “danger” levels last month. In recent weeks, Bangladesh, India, Thailand and parts of China have seen scorching temperatures.
Reducing global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels has served as the foundation of the climate goals for around 200 countries. But this target is likely to be exceeded, given rising carbon emissions and temperatures. In fact, climate experts warn that the present rate of warming makes it inevitable.
A recent study shows that, by 2030, extreme weather could eject billions of people, including up to 600 million Indians, from their “human climate niche” – historical habitats with favourable living conditions.
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China had its worst heatwave in six decades last summer. Experts have projected that, with global warming worsening, long-lasting heatwaves will become the “new normal” in the country. Since March, China has experienced heatwaves in several locations.
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