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January 15, 2024
This executive summary is based on the article “Shocking Photos of Extreme Weather Around the World in 2023 So Far”, published by Global Citizen and written by Khanyi Mlaba, Fadeke Banjo, and Tess Lowery, on November 7, 2023.
What is the message?
The year 2023 has witnessed an alarming surge in extreme weather events globally, serving as a stark reminder of the immediate impacts of climate change.
From devastating floods and wildfires to record-breaking heatwaves and powerful storms, the world is grappling with the tangible consequences of the climate crisis.
ONE PAGE SUMMARY
What are the key points?
Diverse Impact:
Extreme weather events have struck various regions, affecting millions of lives and causing widespread destruction. From floods in Somalia and Kenya to wildfires in Argentina and Canada, the range of disasters underscores the urgency of addressing climate change on a global scale.
Increasing Frequency:
Scientists, backed by data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), emphasize the intensification and heightened frequency of extreme weather events. The recent IPCC report predicts a 1.5-degree Celsius temperature rise by the early 2030s, further exacerbating the occurrence of such events.
Humanitarian Crisis:
Floods in South Sudan, cyclones in Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe, and the prolonged flooding in Libya have resulted in humanitarian crises, displacing communities, causing loss of life, and amplifying the need for international assistance and climate resilience measures.
Unprecedented Heatwaves:
Asia experienced an unprecedented April heatwave, with temperatures breaking records in multiple countries. Scientists attribute these extreme temperatures to human-induced climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for global climate action.
Alarm Bells from the IPCC:
The IPCC’s warnings about the irreversible impacts of climate change, such as glacier melting and rising sea levels, add urgency to the call for ambitious and immediate reforms in global policies to mitigate climate change.
What are the key statistics?
The IPCC predicts a 1.5-degree Celsius temperature rise by the early 2030s if current levels of inaction persist.
Over 1,000 lives lost and half a million displaced during Cyclone Freddy in southeast Africa.
Record-breaking heatwave in Asia, with temperatures ranging from 38 to 45 degrees Celsius.
What are the key examples?
Somalia and Kenya Floods: Worst floods in decades claim at least 29 lives and displace 300,000 people, aggravating the impact of previous droughts.
Storm Ciarán in Europe: Record-breaking winds and floods cause deaths, evacuations, and power outages across France, England, Italy, and the Channel Islands.
Hurricane Otis in Mexico: Category 5 hurricane results in massive flooding, power outages, and destruction, affecting over half a million people.
Extreme Heatwave in Asia: Unprecedented April heatwave hits multiple Asian countries, causing health risks, school closures, and disruptions.
Conclusion
The shocking photos of extreme weather events in 2023 underscore the critical need for immediate and concerted global action to combat climate change.
The human and environmental toll of these events demands urgent policy reforms, individual behavioral changes, and international collaboration to secure a sustainable and resilient future.
The evidence presented serves as a compelling call to prioritize climate initiatives on a scale commensurate with the magnitude of the crisis.
To read the original publication and see the photos, click here.
