Another climate record: Extreme heat, storms, drought ravage Latin America and the Caribbean
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) attributed to temperature to one El Niño “double whammy” and long-term climate changeleading to droughts and wildfires, combined with extreme rainfall and storms.
“Unfortunately, 2023 is a year of record climate hazards in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said agency head Celeste Saulo.
“El Niño conditions in the second half of 2023 contribute to a record warm year and exacerbate many extreme events. This is compounded by rising temperatures and more frequent and extreme dangers from human-caused climate change.”
Special and extreme
According to WMO, the 2023 average temperature is the highest on record, 0.82°C above the 1991–2020 average and 1.39°C above the 1961–1990 baseline.
This was an “exceptional” year for Mexico, where temperatures exceeded 45°C or 113°F at many weather stations, with a peak of 51.4°C (124.5°F) on May 29. 8. It is also experiencing the fastest rate of warming in the region.
Extreme heat waves affect central South America from August to December, with temperatures soaring in many parts of Brazil to above 41°C in August. Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina all recorded their highest September temperatures. In Uruguay, the summer of 2023 was the driest on record in the past 42 years.
Human, wildlife and economic damage
Extreme weather also claims many lives, along with extensive damage to wildlife, ecosystems and the economy.
The Storm Otis level 5 For example, in Mexico caused dozens of deaths, causing billions of dollars in damage, while severe drought The river’s flow into the Panama Canal was interrupted, paralyzing international shipping.
Health risks are also increased by exposure to heat waves, bushfire smoke, sand dust and air pollution, leading to cardiovascular and respiratory problems.
At the same time, record temperatures in Lake Tefé in the Brazilian Amazon killed more than 150 dolphins.
Sea level rises
WMO also warns of increased sea level rise.
Mean sea level is rising at a rate higher than the global mean sea level in the South Atlantic and the tropical and subtropical North Atlantic regions, threatening much of the region’s population living in low-lying areas. coastal area.
Glaciers also face climate burdens. Echaurren Norte Glacier in the Central Andes – a reference glacier – takes about 31 meters of water equivalent from 1975 to 2023.
Drought in Latin America and the Caribbean region from January to November 2023.
‘There is no respite in sight’ – Floods in Brazil
In related developments, record rainfall over the past few weeks is linked to El Niño caused unprecedented flooding in southern Brazil, affecting more than 850,000 peopleand lead to major infrastructure and economic damage.
According to state authorities Rio Grande do Sul, 78 people confirmed dead, 175 injured and 105 missing. Nearly 19,000 people lost their homes and about 116,000 people were displaced.
“There is no immediate respite,” the WMO said in a statement. The update was released on Tuesday.
Much of Rio Grande do Sul has received persistent heavy rainfall since April 27, according to national meteorological authorities, and in some regions, torrential downpours have occurred. exceed 300 millimeters (mm) in less than a week.
For example, in the southern Brazilian municipality of Bento Gonçalves, the volume reached 543.4 mm.
Call to action
In a worrying context, WMO calls for increased investment and support for climate services, especially in health and disaster prevention, to address the growing challenges associated with climate change. climate facing Latin America and the Caribbean.
It highlights the need for greater resources for national hydro-meteorological services to enhance forecasting and early warning as well as integrating climate data in health surveillance to develop medical responses. Stronger public health response to emerging diseases.
The UN agency also called for regulating the health sector and improving decision-making to increase resilience to climate change.
