STATE OF THE CLIMATE IN ASIA
1. Context
The 2023 'State of the Climate in Asia' report by the World Meteorological Organization highlighted that Asia has experienced a more rapid warming trend compared to the global average since 1960. Furthermore, it reaffirmed that 2023 stood as the warmest year on record globally. Additionally, the report emphasized a concerning disparity between climate forecasts and the capacity of Asian nations to effectively address and lessen the impacts of climate change.
2. State of the Climate in Asia Report
- The "State of the Climate in Asia" report provides a comprehensive assessment of the current climatic conditions, trends, and impacts across the Asian continent. Produced by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) or other relevant organizations, this report offers insights into various aspects of climate change, including temperature trends, extreme weather events, sea level rise, and their effects on ecosystems, communities, and economies in Asia.
- Key components of the report typically include analyses of observational data, climate modelling results, and case studies highlighting significant climate events and their consequences.
- The report aims to inform policymakers, researchers, and the public about the state of the climate in Asia, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to address climate change impacts and enhance resilience in the region.
3. Impact of Heat in Asia
- In 2023, Asia bore a heavy toll from extreme heat, with more than 2,000 fatalities and over nine million individuals affected by severe climate events.
- Over 80% of these occurrences were linked to storms and floods. Although the report acknowledged that heat-related deaths are often underreported, it documented numerous regions enduring severe heatwaves, resulting in multiple casualties.
- For instance, India faced severe heat waves in April and June, claiming approximately 110 lives.
- Moreover, a prolonged heatwave swept across vast swathes of South and Southeast Asia in April and May, impacting regions from Bangladesh and eastern India to southern China.
4. Impact of Floods and Storms in Asia
- In 2023, floods and storms wreaked havoc across Asia, causing significant devastation.
- Tropical cyclone Mocha, the most potent cyclone in the Bay of Bengal in the past decade, struck Myanmar and Bangladesh in May.
- Subsequently, floods, landslides, and lightning claimed the lives of approximately 600 individuals across India, Pakistan, and Nepal in June and July.
- Specifically in India, floods and landslides in August, particularly in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, resulted in the loss of at least 25 lives.
- Furthermore, lightning strikes were responsible for approximately 1,200 fatalities across India throughout the year.
6. Implications for India
- The global trend of increasing extreme climate events, including in India, underscores the potential for minimizing damage through enhanced preparedness. India's utilization of early warnings during cyclone Mocha exemplifies this approach, which has historically saved lives compared to previous similar cyclones.
- However, it also points out areas for improvement, particularly in managing fatalities and destruction caused by lightning. Despite efforts such as mobile applications, marginalized communities, like farmers working in fields, often lack access to timely alerts due to limited response time.
- India's historical resilience in facing floods, storms, and droughts, the escalating challenges posed by climate change, such as unprecedented heatwaves, glacier retreats, and rising sea levels, reveal significant inadequacies in preparedness. The urgent attention and strategic revisions of policies and adaptation strategies to effectively address these evolving climatic threats. Empowering communities with the necessary resources and policies is deemed crucial to confront these challenges effectively.
7. The Way Forward
By implementing the measures, Asian nations can build a more resilient future in the face of climate change. The urgency to act is clear, and a collective effort from governments, communities, and international organizations is essential to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems across Asia.
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For Prelims: Climate Change, Heatwaves, State of the Climate in Asia report, World Meteorological Organization
For Mains:
1. Analyze the impacts of extreme heatwaves in Asia in 2023. How did these heatwaves contribute to significant casualties and challenges in affected regions, particularly in India and Southeast Asia?
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Previous Year Questions
1. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)
1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.
2. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth's surface and thus cause a warming effect.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
2. Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substance? (UPSC CSE 2015) A.Bretton woods conference
B. Montreal Protocol
C. Kyoto Protocol
D. Nagoya Protocol
3. Headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization is located in (NDA 2017)
A. Washington
B. Geneva
C. Moscow
D. London
4. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC 2016)
1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017
2. The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2°C or even 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $ 1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 and 3 only B. 2 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
5. A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki appeared in the news. In this context, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2010)
1. Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific ocean whereas El Nino Modoki forms in the Eastern Pacific ocean.
2. Normal El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic ocean but El Nino Modoki results in a greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
6. La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino? (UPSC 2011)
1. La Nina is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperature in the equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
2. El Nino has an adverse effect on the south-west monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on the monsoon climate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
7. Consider the following statements: (MPSC 2017)
a. La Nina is a little girl.
b. During the time of La Nina cold water in the ocean rises to the surface.
c. La Nina strengthens the Indian monsoon.
d. During the time of El Nino, trade winds weaken, and warm water moves east in the ocean. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. Only a and b B. a, b and c C. Only b and c D. All of the above
8. Which of the following statements regarding 'Green Climate Fund' is/are correct? (UPSC 2015)
1. It is intended to assist the developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change.
2. It is founded under the aegis of UNEP, OECS, Asian Development Bank and World Bank.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
9. What are the possible limitations of India in mitigating global warming at present and in the immediate future? (UPSC 2010)
1. Appropriate alternate technologies are not sufficiently available.
2. India cannot invest huge funds in research and development.
3. Many developed countries have already set up their polluting industries in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
10. Which of the following best describes/describe the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India? (upsc 2016) 1. Incorporating environmental benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the ‘green accounting’.
2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agricultural output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future.
3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures.
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
11. With reference to ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2017) 1. It is an initiative of the European Union.
2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets.
3. It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
12. “Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by (2018) (a) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Answers: 1-D, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-D, 7-D, 8- A, 9-A, 10-C, 11-A, 12-C
Mains
1. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (UPSC 2021)
2. ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How will India be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (UPSC 2017)
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Source: The Hindu
