Since 2000, Global Warming Has More than Doubled Extreme Ocean Warming Events Over Japan

According to a new study, global warming has at least increased the probability of severe ocean warming events near Japan ever since the 2000s, which was uncommon in the preindustrial era.

These findings suggest that reducing global warming to 1.5°C is effective in preventing record-high sea surface temperatures from becoming the new normal all over Japan in the future.

Extreme ocean temperatures in Japan

Based on the Japan Meteorological Agency, the southern region of Japan and the northwestern Pacific Ocean encountered unusually high SSTs in August 2020. (JMA). As per ScienceDaily.

JMA announced once more that record-high SSTs have been recognized near Japan in July and October 2021, as well as from June to August 2022, but it is uncertain to what extent climate change has changed the likelihood of such regional extreme warming events.

Every severe ocean warming event in the current climate is linked to global warming, according to the lead author, Michiya Hayashi, a research associate at NIES.

Based on the CMIP6 climate models, scientists have estimated the occurrence frequencies of every event in current and preindustrial weather conditions from January 1982 to July 2022.

Hideo Shiogama, head of the Earth System Risk Assessment Section at the Earth System Division, NIES observed that the effects of climate change on extreme ocean temperature events in northern Japan have emerged relatively late, particularly in comparison to southern Japan.

The increase in global aerosol emissions until the 1980s tended to cool the Earth's surface, which is more noticeable in the North Pacific, particularly near northern Japan, due to changes in atmospheric large-scale circulation.

Furthermore, the year-to-year natural variability of SST is high in northern Japan, making the global temperature signal less discernible than in southern Japan.

Since global aerosol emissions have already been reduced in recent decades, the cooling effect on human-induced greenhouse gas warming is becoming less dominant.

Japan Sets High-Temperature Record

A scorching heat wave that has engulfed Japan since the second week of July resulted in the country's highest temperature ever recorded on July 23, 2018, at 41.1°C (106°F) at Kumagaya, as per TheMainichi.

Kumagaya is in the Saitama prefecture, approximately 40 miles (65 kilometers) northwest of Tokyo.

Japan has become the fourth country in recorded history to set an all-time high temperature in 2018.

Beating extreme temperatures

Beating the heat is really no laughing matter, especially when record-breaking temperatures threaten your community, as per Yaktrinews.

Extreme temperatures are not only inconvenient, but they may easily lead to emergencies that endanger public health and well-being.

One of the most essential ways to combat the heat is to stay hydrated, but it takes effort. Drinking fluids before, during, and after work will ensure that your body has the nutrients it requires to stay healthy in hot weather.

Your skin is at risk when the sun shines brightly. If you get a sunburn, they recommend staying in shaded areas and wearing light clothing to protect the affected area.

Cool showers or baths, moisturizers, and aloe vera gel can all be beneficial. Hydration is essential for healing, and ibuprofen can help with severe pain.