Description

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Source: Youtube

Context

According to the State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report, 2024 was the warmest year ever recorded in Asia, with widespread and prolonged heat waves.

About State of the Climate in Asia 2024

It is published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
This is the fifth edition of the region's annual climate report, which has involved National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), WMO Regional Climate Centres (RCCs), several research institutions, United Nations agencies, and international and regional organizations.
The report updates the status of key climate indicators and includes the most recent data and information on impacts, risks, and policy from United Nations agencies.

2024 Climate Impact in Asia

Category	Details
Temperature Rise	Asia’s average temperature was 1.04°C above the 1991–2020 average. Warming rates have doubled since 1961–1990.
Heatwaves (India)	- Temperatures reached 45–50°C - 450+ deaths due to extreme heat - ~1,300 deaths from lightning and related storms
Marine Heatwaves	Affected ~15 million sq km, especially: - Northern Indian Ocean - Seas near Japan, China
Tropical Cyclones	- 29 cyclones hit Asia in 2024 - Cyclone Yagi: Deadliest (hit Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar) - Indian subcontinent: Cyclones Remal, Fengal, Dana, Asna
Glacial Retreat	- 23 out of 24 glaciers in High Mountain Asia showed mass loss - Urumqi Glacier No. 1 (Tian Shan) recorded highest melt since 1959

World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)

It is a United Nations agency that specialises in meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology, and related geophysical sciences. It was founded in 1950 as an offshoot of the International Meteorological Organisation (IMO), which had been established in 1873.

Source: Downtoearth

Practice Question:

Q. "Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now" is an initiative launched by:

Options:
(a) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(b) The UNEP Secretariat
(c) The UNFCCC Secretariat
(d) The World Meteorological Organization