Japan has just experienced its hottest summer on record, with temperatures reaching 1.76 degrees Celsius above the average recorded between 1991 and 2020. The country saw over 8,800 instances of “extreme heat”, with a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius or higher. This summer tied the previous record set in 2023 and was the hottest since 1898.
China also faced its hottest August on record, causing delays to the start of the new school year in some cities. Authorities in Chongqing, Jiangxi, and Sichuan provinces extended school holidays to ensure the safety of students and teachers amid the heatwave. China issued a red alert for temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for 12 consecutive days in late August.
China, as the leading emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged to reduce carbon emissions. The extreme heat in both Japan and China is a result of global climate change, with climate scientists predicting 2024 to be the hottest year on record.
In Japan, over 70,000 people were hospitalized for heatstroke between July and August, leading to a surge in consumer spending on items like air conditioners and cold drinks. The meteorological agency warned that although temperatures may recede slightly as autumn begins, it is still too early to completely end the heatwave.
The extreme heat in East Asia this summer highlights the urgent need for global action to mitigate the effects of climate change and prevent more frequent and intense extreme weather events in the future.
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