Asia Grapples with Escalating Climate Crisis: WMO Report

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Asia continues to bear the brunt of climate change and extreme weather events, as outlined in the latest report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Titled The State of the Climate in Asia 2023, the report underscores the region's vulnerability to disasters from weather, climate, and water-related hazards.

In 2023, floods and storms wreaked havoc, causing significant casualties and economic losses across Asia, reaffirming its status as the world’s most disaster-prone region. Additionally, the report highlights the intensifying impact of heatwaves, which are becoming increasingly severe.

One of the most alarming findings of the report is the accelerating rate of key climate change indicators, including surface temperature rise, glacier retreat, and sea level rise. Sea-surface temperatures in the northwest Pacific Ocean reached record highs, while even the Arctic Ocean experienced a marine heatwave.

Asia's warming trend surpasses the global average, nearly doubling since the 1961–1990 period. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the profound implications of these trends on societies, economies, and ecosystems in the region.

Sea levels are rising faster than the global average in many parts of Asia. (WMO)

Hydrometeorological hazards accounted for 79 reported disasters in Asia in 2023, with floods and storms responsible for over 80% of these events. These disasters claimed over 2000 lives and affected nine million people directly. Despite the escalating health risks posed by extreme heat, heat-related mortality often goes unreported.

The report also underscores the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries. For instance, tropical cyclone Mocha, the strongest cyclone in the Bay of Bengal in a decade, struck Bangladesh and Myanmar. However, early warning systems and improved preparedness efforts helped mitigate the human toll.

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), stressed the need for evidence-based policy proposals to address the climate crisis and the importance of bridging gaps between climate science and disaster risk management.

While approximately 80% of WMO Members in the region provide climate services to support disaster risk reduction, less than half offer climate projections and tailored products crucial for informed decision-making. The report underscores the necessity of investing in climate resilience and early warning systems.

The release of the report coincided with the 80th session of the Commission in Bangkok, Thailand, reaffirming WMO's commitment to regional initiatives and evidence-based decision-making in the face of the escalating climate crisis.

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