Asia is warming at twice the global average, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization. In the State of the Climate in Asia 2024, the report said that the warming trend between 1991–2024 was almost double that during the 1961–1990 period.
As Asia experienced its warmest or second warmest year last year, it is causing “more extreme weather and posing serious threats to lives, ecosystems, and economies,” World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported.
“The State of the Climate in Asia report highlights the changes in key climate indicators such as surface temperature, glacier mass and sea level, which will have major repercussions for societies, economies and ecosystems in the region,” Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General, said. “Extreme weather is already exacting an unacceptably high toll.”
With record-high sea surface temperatures and marine heatwaves affecting large areas of Asia, sea level is on the rise in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and have “exceeded the global average, increasing risks for low-lying coastal areas,” the report said. Other widespread weather events in Asia include extreme rainfall, droughts, and destructive tropical cyclones.
The report presented a case study from Nepal confirming that early warning systems and anticipatory action helped communities adapt and respond to climate risks. WMO calls for urgent investment in adaptation, early warnings, and climate-resilient development throughout the continent.
“The work of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and their partners is more important than ever to save lives and livelihoods,” Saulo said.
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