Introduction: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the 4th edition of the “State of the Climate in Asia 2023,” highlighting Asia’s significant vulnerability to weather and climate-related hazards. The year 2023 was the warmest on record across six globally averaged datasets, positioning Asia as the most disaster-affected region.
Key Points:
- Disasters in 2023: Asia experienced 79 water hazard-related disasters, mainly floods and storms, resulting in over 2,000 fatalities and directly affecting nine million people.
- Temperature Rise: The mean temperature in Asia soared to 0.91°C above the 1991-2020 reference period and 1.87°C above the 1961-1990 average, marking the second-highest on record.
- Record Highs: Japan and Kazakhstan registered record-high temperatures in 2023.
Assessment:
- Datasets Used:
- The Berkeley Earth Land/Ocean Temperature Record
- ERA5 Monthly Averaged Data on Single Levels from 1940 to Present
- JRA-55 Reanalysis: General Specifications and Basic Characteristics
- GISS Surface Temperature Analysis (GISTEMP) version 4
- The HadCRUT5 Data Set
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Global Temperature Analysis
Highlights:
- Global Temperature: The annual mean near-surface temperature in 2023 surged to 1.45 ± 0.12°C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average.
- Warming Trend: Asia’s warming trend has nearly doubled since 1960-1990, leading to increased casualties and economic losses.
- Sea-Surface Temperatures: Record highs in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
- India: Experienced its highest monthly mean temperature in August 2023, coupled with an unprecedented rainfall deficit.
- Rapid Warming: Sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea and southern Kara Sea are warming over three times faster than the global average.
- Rising Sea Levels: Higher rates in Asia compared to the global average from 1993-2023.
- Extreme Events: Despite lower overall precipitation, extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall and floods, were prevalent in Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Hong Kong.
- Glacier Retreat: Glaciers in High-Mountain Asia, including the Tibetan Plateau, are retreating at an accelerating rate.
- Historical Data: From 1970 to 2021, Asia experienced 3,612 weather, climate, and water-related disasters, resulting in 984,263 deaths and USD 1.4 trillion in economic losses.
Mitigation: The WMO and its partners emphasize the need for strong early warning and disaster risk reduction systems in Asia. The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), in partnership with WMO, will continue investing in raising climate ambition.
About the Report: The “State of the Climate in Asia” report is an annual collaborative effort by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), WMO Regional Climate Centres (RCCs), research institutions, and UN agencies. It offers comprehensive updates on climate indicators, impacts, risks, and policy tailored to Asia’s needs in climate monitoring and services.
Recent Related News:
- The Bihar government issued the ‘Patna Declaration’ to strengthen bird conservation and address illegal hunting in South Asia.
- The Government of Goa announced a partnership with the World Bank to establish a Blended Finance Facility (BFF) for climate resilience.
About WMO:
- Secretary-General: Celeste Saulo
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Established: 1950
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