China experienced its hottest year on record in 2024, according to the country’s meteorological service. The average national temperature was 10.92 degrees Celsius (51.66 degrees Fahrenheit), which is 1.03 degrees higher than in 2023. The China Meteorological Administration said it was “the warmest year since the start of full records in 1961.” The top four warmest years ever were the past four years, with all top ten warmest years since 1961 occurring in the 21st century.
Shanghai, China’s financial hub, also had its warmest year in 2024 since records began in 1873. The average temperature was 18.8C (65.8F). In July last year, China had already logged its hottest month in the history of observations.
It also had the warmest autumn recorded. In Guangzhou, residents experienced a record-breaking long summer. There were 240 days where the average temperature exceeded 22C (71.6F), breaking the previous record of 234 days set in 1994.
China’s hottest year impacts livelihoods
The warmer weather has been accompanied by stronger storms and higher rainfall, leading to severe impacts. In May, a highway in southern China collapsed after days of rain, killing 48 people.
Regions such as Sichuan, Chongqing, and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River faced heat and drought in early autumn. Greenpeace warned of China’s “alarming new trends in extreme heat.” The campaign group said extreme heat days are arriving earlier each year and affecting larger areas of the country. As a multitude of climate impacts hit China, people’s lives and livelihoods are impacted,” Greenpeace said.
The United Nations stated that 2024 was set to be the warmest year ever recorded worldwide. Global warming, driven largely by the burning of fossil fuels, contributes not only to rising temperatures but also to various secondary effects. These effects include more intense downpours and storms due to warmer air holding more water vapor and warmer oceans increasing evaporation.
According to Zurich-based insurance giant Swiss Re, climate-related natural disasters led to economic losses estimated at $310 billion in 2024.
Noah Nguyen is a multi-talented developer who brings a unique perspective to his craft. Initially a creative writing professor, he turned to Dev work for the ability to work remotely. He now lives in Seattle, spending time hiking and drinking craft beer with his fiancee.
