Taiwan's Heatwave: A Record Breaker with a Chill Ending

In 2024, Taiwan experienced its hottest year ever, with an average temperature of 24. 97°C (76. 95°F), beating the previous record set in 2020. This heatwave was part of a global trend, with climate change causing extreme weather and costly natural disasters worldwide. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration warned that while the next two months might bring cooler temperatures, the overall warming trend will continue. In response, Taiwan has increased its greenhouse gas emission reduction target to 30% by 2030. The country believes that advances in offshore wind power and renewable energy will help achieve this goal. The United Nations also reported that 2024 was the warmest year on record, highlighting the devastating impacts of global warming. These include more intense storms, flooding, droughts, and wildfires, as seen in places like Spain, Kenya, the U. S. , the Philippines, and South America. In Taiwan, a powerful typhoon in October caused significant damage, showing that even if temperatures drop temporarily, the effects of climate change persist.