China Records Hottest Year Ever Amid Climate Concerns
In 2024, China experienced its warmest year since records began over 60 years ago, with an average national temperature of 10.92°C. This trend marks two consecutive years of unprecedented heat, heavily impacting agriculture and power consumption. Notably, Shanghai recorded its highest temperatures since the Qing dynasty. To combat rising temperatures and ensure food security, China is researching adaptations for staple crops like potatoes, which showed significantly reduced yields under elevated heat conditions. A United Nations report warns that global temperatures could rise by 3.1°C by 2100 without effective climate policies.