2025 Sees the Warmest January Ever Recorded
Last month the average temperature soared to 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, defying the expectations of climate change experts. The data came as a “surprise” to experts at the Copernicus Climate Service as we are in the midst of a La Niña, which brings about a temporary cooling effect. However, this was the 18th consecutive month where the average global temperature exceeded the 1.5°C limit outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Aside from unusually high temperatures, January also saw unconventional weather conditions. In Alaska, Canada, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Russia, Eastern Australia, Southeastern Africa and Southern Brazil, the weather was unusually wet, with some areas experiencing heavy precipitation and even flooding. Meanwhile, in the Northern regions of the UK and Ireland, parts of Eastern Europe, Southwestern USA, Northern Mexico, Northern and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Eastern China, Southern South America and Australia, the weather was unusually dry.
These changes are all mainly attributed to rising temperatures, which are in turn attributed to human activity, namely the burning of fossil fuels as well as deforestation, which have led to record-high concentrations of greenhouse gases being detected in the atmosphere.
Bangkok’s Air Pollution Poses Public Health Hazard
Last month, IQAir ranked Bangkok as the 4th most polluted city in the world, with the AQI spiking up to 188 and PM2.5 concentrations reaching 108 µg/m³. For context, the WHO recommends that people should not be exposed to over 15 µg/m³ per day. PM2.5 is particularly harmful as it is small enough to enter our bloodstream when inhaled, posing numerous health concerns including cancer. According to a recent report published by UNICEF, air pollution is a “secondary impact of climate-induced hazards”. Other countries across Asia have also been struggling with dangerously high levels of air pollution, especially in India and Pakistan.
Air pollution hits Bangkok every year. Stubble burning is the intentional incineration of leftover crops; it is a common practice as it is a cheap, quick and easy way to clear fields ready for the new planting season. Unfortunately, it also creates large amounts of air pollution that gets swept into Bangkok when cold air from the North blows South towards the city. This, combined with vehicle exhaust fumes, are the major sources of air pollution.
Over 350 schools were closed on the 24th of January due to the exceedingly high levels of PM2.5, and most parts of the city remained in the “red zone” (AQI >151) for over a week. The government has made public transportation free for one week and issued an order banning stubble burning at the risk of prosecution.
Despite the air pollution naturally starting to thin out as winds shift, much of Bangkok still remains in the “orange zone” (AQI >101). Citizens are calling for the government to take more action to bring the AQI back down to safer levels; many are also urging the government to create and implement effective long-term plans to prevent the recurring spikes in air pollution.
Aftermath of California Wildfires Raises New Concerns
Around January 31st - February 1st, the Palisades and Eaton fires, the largest and most destructive of the LA fires, were finally contained after burning for around 24 days straight. The fires resulted in a total of 29 casualties and destroyed over 10,000 homes. The fires were among the most devastating in LA history.
While the official cause of the fires is still being investigated, a study conducted by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) has now confirmed that climate change was a major driver behind the hot, dry weather that fueled the flames. It increased the likelihood of such weather conditions by up to 35%. The study has also confirmed that a “climate whiplash” phenomenon - extremely wet conditions followed by extremely dry conditions - created the conditions that made the fire so destructive. The destruction was further exacerbated by the Santa Ana winds, which peaked at hurricane-level speeds.
Although all of the major fires have now been contained, California isn’t completely out of the woods yet. Weather forecasts indicate that an atmospheric river is due to hit Southern California this week. Thursday is predicted to see the heaviest rainfall, potentially triggering floods, power outages and obstructions in transportation. The concerns of locals over the disposal of harmful debris left by the fires, which have been found to contain high levels of heavy metals and carcinogenic chemicals have now been raised to new heights as the forecasted rain increases the risk of debris flow. In preparation for this, the LA County public works crews have implemented containment measures in regions that were recently burnt in order to prevent the debris from flowing into storm drains, which lead straight into the ocean.
Technical terms used in this article:
Atmospheric river - a long, narrow, concentrated region of wind and moisture in the atmosphere that transports large amounts of water vapour (like a “river” in the atmosphere)
Carcinogenic - cancer-causing
Credits:
Images - BBC, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times
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