Mercury rising – On the consequences of the climate catastrophe | 29 July 2023 | UPSC Daily Editorial Analysis
What's the article about?
- It talks about the consequences of the climate catastrophe that has enveloped the globe.
Relevance:
- GS3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment;
- Essay;
- Prelims
Context:
- Recently, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, talked about the consequences of the climate catastrophe that has enveloped the globe.
- He also said that the earth had passed from a warming phase into an “era of global boiling”.
Analysis:
- Hottest July: July is set to be the hottest month in the last 12,000 years. Scientists from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Change Service described conditions this month as “rather remarkable and unprecedented”, with July seeing the hottest three-week period on record. Average July temperature so far has been 16.95° Celsius, 0.2° C warmer than in July 2019 — a record in the 174-year observational data of the European Union.
- Rapid rise in ocean temperatures: Ocean temperatures have risen rapidly in recent weeks, with surface waters reaching their highest temperatures on record
- Transition from La Niña to El Niño conditions: The rise in ocean temperatures is due to the transition from La Niña conditions to El Niño conditions in the Central Equatorial Pacific Ocean
- Impact of high ocean temperatures: The warm air resulting from the high ocean temperatures has increased the atmospheric capacity to hold moisture, causing short torrential bursts of rain and floods in north and western India.
- Decades-long trend of rising heat in oceans: The rise in ocean temperatures is part of a decades-long trend of rising heat in the world's oceans.
- Need for more ambitious emission cuts: The COP28 President-designate, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, emphasized that the world's largest economies should be more ambitious with emission cuts.
- Immediate climate action necessary: To limit global temperature rise to 1.5 °C and avoid the worst of climate change, “dramatic, immediate climate action” is necessary.
- India's greenhouse gas mitigation responsibilities: India may need to advance its net-zero commitments from 2070 to 2050 and generate fossil-free electricity by 2040 to take on a greater share of greenhouse gas mitigation responsibilities.
Distribution and impact of high temperatures: High temperatures have various impacts on the environment, economy, and human health. Here are some of the distribution and impacts of high temperatures:
Climate Change Related Quotes:
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Way Forward:
- In conclusion, the record-breaking temperatures in July 2023 are a clear indication that climate change is a pressing issue that requires immediate action.
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