New York , US,22,August 2025
UN Report Highlights Rising Climate Risks:
A new report by the United Nations reveals that Asia is warming at nearly twice the global average, leading to a dangerous escalation in extreme weather events and threatening the lives and livelihoods of billions across the continent.
A recent report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, has issued a stark warning about the accelerating impacts of climate change on Asia. The report, “The State of the Climate in Asia 2024,” reveals that the continent is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, with the warming trend over the past three decades almost doubling compared to the previous period.
This rapid increase in temperatures is fueling a surge in extreme weather phenomena, from intense heatwaves and devastating floods to prolonged droughts and powerful tropical cyclones.
The report highlights that the consequences are already severe and widespread. In 2024, Asia was hit by a relentless barrage of climate-related disasters. Record-breaking heatwaves swept across the region, while some areas, like Northern Kerala in India, experienced fatal landslides caused by extreme rainfall.
At the same time, other parts of the continent, such as Kazakhstan, suffered from the worst flooding in 70 years due to a combination of heavy rain and snowmelt. The report emphasizes that these events are not isolated incidents but a clear sign of a new normal where climate-related risks are intensifying.
The Alarming Indicators
The WMO report outlines several key indicators of this alarming trend:
* Accelerated Warming:
Asia’s landmass is heating up more quickly than the oceans, making it particularly vulnerable.
* Melting Glaciers:
In the Himalayas and Tian Shan mountain ranges, 23 out of 24 glaciers are experiencing mass loss, posing a long-term threat to water security for millions of people.
* Rising Sea Levels:
Sea levels on the Pacific and Indian Ocean coasts are rising faster than the global average, putting low-lying coastal communities at heightened risk of inundation and storm surges.
* Record Ocean Temperatures:
The oceans around Asia are also experiencing record temperature increases, with surface temperatures in the Indian and Pacific Oceans reaching unprecedented levels in 2024.
Economic and Social Toll
The report also underscores the significant economic and social toll of these climate impacts. Floods and storms have caused the highest number of reported casualties and economic losses, but the true human cost, particularly from heat-related deaths, is likely much higher due to underreporting. The UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) has warned that climate shocks could lead to an average annual loss of 4.8% of GDP for 30 countries in the region.
A Call for Action
In response to these findings, the WMO Secretary-General, Celeste Saulo, has called for urgent action, emphasizing that the work of national meteorological and hydrological services is more crucial than ever to save lives and protect livelihoods. The report stresses the need for more comprehensive early warning systems and anticipatory action to help communities prepare for and respond to these increasingly frequent and severe climate events. While the path ahead is challenging, the UN believes that with proactive policies and a collective commitment to building resilience, Asia can mitigate its vulnerabilities and secure a more sustainable future.
