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Study Finds Climate Change Made Southeast Asia’s April Heat Wave 45 Times More Likely – EcoWatch

Study Finds Human-Caused Climate Change Made April 2024 Heat Wave 45 Times More Likely in Asia

The recent late-April heat wave that swept across Southeast Asia and the Middle East has been attributed to human-caused climate change, according to a new study by World Weather Attribution (WWA). The study found that the extreme temperatures experienced in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Israel, Vietnam, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Thailand were 45 times more likely due to climate change.

Temperatures soared above 104 degrees Fahrenheit for many days, causing widespread suffering and even death in some regions. Dr. Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment in London, emphasized the role of emissions from oil, gas, and coal in driving the additional heat that led to these extreme temperatures.

The study revealed that global heating increased temperatures by nearly two degrees Celsius in certain regions, leading to the closure of thousands of schools in the Philippines due to the soaring temperatures. In countries like India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Cambodia, temperatures reached as high as 114.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

The impact of the heat wave was particularly severe on outdoor workers, those living in informal housing, and refugee camps. The lack of institutional support and options to adapt exacerbated the health risks and hardships faced by these vulnerable populations.

The research team used climate models and weather data to compare the likelihood of heat waves in the current climate with one without human-caused global heating. They found that El Niño had little effect on the increased likelihood of heat waves, highlighting the significant role of climate change in driving extreme temperatures.

The study also pointed out the detrimental effects of the heat wave on agriculture, education, and overall livelihoods in the affected regions. The findings suggest that as the planet continues to warm, the probability of extreme heat events will increase significantly, posing a greater threat to vulnerable populations.

In conclusion, the study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies and action plans to combat the impacts of heat waves, especially in rapidly growing cities with exposed populations and limited green spaces. Implementing solutions like cool roofs, nature-based infrastructure design, and climate risk-informed building codes, as well as mandatory regulations for workplace interventions to address heat stress, are crucial steps in protecting vulnerable communities from the devastating effects of extreme heat events.

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