The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) recently released its State of the Climate in Asia, 2023 report, shedding light on the escalating impacts of climate change in the region.

Temperature Trends in Asia

• The average annual surface temperature in Asia experienced a significant increase in 2023. Compared to the 1961–1990 average, the temperature rose by 1.87 degrees Celsius, and it was 0.91 degrees Celsius higher than the 1991–2020 average. This warming trend underscores a broader global phenomenon, with the world experiencing a temperature increase of at least 1.1 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial average (1850-1900).
• Notably, the rate of warming in Asia is accelerating, as indicated by comparisons with five other regions: Africa, South America, North America, South-West Pacific, and Europe. While Europe remains the most affected, Asia has experienced more pronounced warming in recent decades compared to other regions except Europe.
• The warming trend in Asia between 1991 and 2023 was nearly double that of the period between 1961 and 1990. This acceleration in warming is concerning and underscores the urgent need for concerted global action to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the region and beyond.

Glacier Mass Loss in High Mountain Asia

• The glaciological year 2022-2023 witnessed concerning trends in the High Mountain Asia (HMA) region. This region, centred on the Tibetan Plateau and encompassing the largest volume of ice outside the polar regions, experienced continued mass loss in 20 out of 22 observed glaciers.
• The primary drivers of this mass loss were record-breaking high temperatures and dry conditions, particularly in the East Himalayas. The mass balance of four glaciers in the HMA region is expressed in meters of water equivalent (m w.e.). Over the past four decades, these glaciers have consistently lost mass, with the rate of loss intensifying since the mid-1990s.
• These findings underscore the vulnerability of glaciers in the HMA region to climate change and highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the impacts of rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns on glacier dynamics and water resources in the region.

Precipitation Patterns in 2023

• 2023 highlights notable precipitation trends across various regions. In several countries, including Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and Myanmar, rainfall was below normal. India experienced a 6% deficit in summer monsoon season rainfall compared to the 1971–2000 average, with certain regions in southwest India, the Ganges catchment, and the lower course of the Brahmaputra receiving below-normal precipitation for the second consecutive year.
• Conversely, excess rainfall was observed in specific areas, including the lower course of the Indus River in Pakistan, the Tenasserim Range in Myanmar, and regions such as Kamchatka and the Kolyma Range in the Russian Federation.
• These precipitation patterns underscore climate change's complex and varied impacts on regional weather systems, emphasising the need for adaptive measures to mitigate risks and manage water resources effectively.

Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies in Asia

• The concerning trends in sea surface temperatures (SST) globally, particularly in Asia. Since mid-March 2023, global average SST has surpassed previous records, with Asian ocean temperatures experiencing similar extremes.
• Notably, the North-west Pacific Ocean emerged as the most severely impacted region, witnessing unprecedented warmth in area-averaged sea surface temperature anomalies.
• The accelerated warming of the upper ocean (0 m–700 m) in specific areas such as the North-Western Arabian Sea, the Philippine Sea, and the seas east of Japan. In these regions, the rate of warming exceeds three times the global average, posing significant implications for marine ecosystems, weather patterns, and coastal communities.

 4. The Way Forward

By adopting a holistic approach that integrates science-based policymaking, community engagement, and sustainable development practices, Asian countries can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and build a more resilient and sustainable future for current and future generations.