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East Asia Suffers Under Record Heat: Crops Wilt, Lives Lost
18 Aug
Summary
- Extreme heat has caused potato crops to turn soft and collapse in South Korea.
- At least 31 deaths in South Korea are linked to the heat wave.
- Global warming is a significant factor, making such heat waves virtually impossible otherwise.
Extreme heat is scorching East Asia, impacting crops, livestock, and human lives. In South Korea, farmers report potato harvests turning soft and mushy underground, a stark visual of the agricultural damage. The nation's disease control agency has linked the heat to at least 31 deaths, with hundreds of thousands of livestock and millions of farmed fish also lost.
Several locations in Japan exceeded 104°F (40°C), with the country designating its first 'cruelly hot day.' Hong Kong also recorded its highest temperature since 1884. Researchers indicate that without human-caused warming, Japan's July heat wave would have been a near-impossible event.
This intensifying regional warming is attributed to a combination of atmospheric patterns and a warming climate, with Asia's warming rate accelerating significantly. Authorities are urging people to cease outdoor activities and calling for a fundamental overhaul of crisis response systems. Experts stress the necessity of both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing robust adaptation strategies, including improved early warning systems and worker protections.
