Climate New Normal (CNN)
Between March and May 2024, Thais have truly realized what it means to live in unbearable heat and how extreme heat can be fatal. Many people were shocked by the skyrocketing electricity bills (air conditioning costs), making their money vanish unexpectedly. Imagine if the heat persists for longer periods, how much more will the expenses increase?
In the past, we only heard about extreme heat in other countries like India, causing numerous deaths each year. This year, who would have thought it could happen in Thailand too? Is it now Thailand’s turn to face this lethal phenomenon?
Extreme heat may stay with us for a short period, but if it lingers, we call it a heat wave. If a heat wave occurs in areas unprepared to handle it, it can cause severe damage to both lives and properties. Such events frequently occur in Europe, such as in 2003, when over 15,000 people died due to extreme heat.
Extreme heat and heat waves are just one example of the extreme weather events caused by climate change, becoming the new normal or Climate New Normal. Other examples of CNN include floods, droughts, storms, and other natural disasters. These incidents are likely to increase as long as we cannot solve the climate change problem by reducing greenhouse gas emissions sufficiently and rapidly.
Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies
To prevent the situation from worsening, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance our ability to adapt to climate change. Supporting renewable energy, afforestation, and adopting technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions are crucial steps.
