Record-breaking temperatures and extreme weather events grip the world, highlighting the harsh reality of climate change.
Guiyang, China – As scorching temperatures continue to engulf the northern hemisphere, the world is facing an alarming wake-up call: the effects of climate change are no longer a distant future but a blistering reality. With unprecedented heatwaves and their far-reaching consequences, urgent action is imperative to confront the unfolding climate crisis.
At the recently concluded Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2023, held in Guiyang, China, renowned experts emphasized the increasing frequency and duration of extreme weather events, with high temperatures expected to become the new normal. Sun Ying, chief scientist at the National Climate Center, stressed the consensus among international and scientific communities that human activities are the primary drivers of global warming.
China, recognizing its responsibility in combatting climate change, has actively pursued green and low-carbon development while prioritizing investment in green energy. The passage of “The Law on Foreign Relations of the People’s Republic of China” further solidifies China’s commitment to global environmental and climate governance, as it aims to build a fair and equitable system beneficial to all nations.
The Blue Book on Climate Change in China (2023) revealed that China’s warming rate exceeds the global average, with a significant increase in the frequency of extreme heat events. Last year witnessed a record-breaking 3,501 extreme heat events, the highest since 1961, with temperatures surpassing historical records in regions such as Chongqing and Hubei. These extreme temperatures are not limited to China, as other parts of the world, including the United States, the UK, and the Middle East, face unprecedented heatwaves.
Experts warn that the impact of extreme temperatures extends beyond heat alone. The 2022 heatwaves triggered severe drought in the Yangtze River basin, exacerbating the situation due to limited rainfall. This feedback mechanism intensifies the heat’s effects and highlights the compounding nature of high temperatures and drought.
While natural factors play a role in climate warming, human activities have emerged as the primary contributors, accounting for approximately ten times the impact of natural factors. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that human factors have been the dominant driver of climate warming in the past century.
As the global community grapples with these challenges, experts emphasize the need for unified action to address climate change, ecosystem degradation, and glacier retreat. China has taken substantial steps on both national and personal levels to combat climate change, setting “dual carbon” goals and actively reducing emissions. With its position as the world’s largest investor in renewable energy, China accounts for 30 percent of global investment in this sector annually since 2015.
The country’s commitment to international cooperation is evident through its hosting of major environmental conferences, such as COP14 and COP15, where significant agreements on wetland conservation and biodiversity were reached. At the recent eco forum in Guiyang, the “Guiyang Declaration” emphasized the importance of cherishing nature, promoting green development, and establishing a high-quality nature reserve system.
China’s efforts extend beyond its borders, as it shares its valuable experiences in green development through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The country aims to deepen cooperation in clean energy, renewable technologies, and green transportation with the countries along the BRI route. China’s exports of solar batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and electric vehicles have witnessed substantial growth, contributing to the global green transition.
“I saw people taking care of the environment and the environment is taking care of them. What I like is the commitment and dedication of the people to see the dream of an eco-friendly society coming to [reality],” she said.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson reaffirmed the country’s commitment to ecological conservation and low-carbon development. National Energy Conservation Week and the national low-carbon day further emphasize China’s dedication to achieving harmony between humanity and nature through the active involvement of all citizens.
As the world faces the blistering reality of climate change, China’s leadership in climate action and its efforts to unite the international community provide hope for a sustainable future.
“To advocate a simple, moderate, green, and low-carbon lifestyle and get everyone involved in actions to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions is the key to achieving green and low-carbon development and enhancing ecological conservation, and also part of China’s vigorous effort to respond to climate change and promote harmony between humanity and nature,” Mao noted.