TAIPEI (TVBS News) — At the COP28 climate summit, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced that 2023 is now the hottest year on record. The global average temperature rose by 1.4 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era, as of the end of October.
In Taiwan, temperatures have risen faster than the global average, increasing by 0.29 degrees Celsius per decade, according to the Taiwan Meteorological Agency.
Lo Tzu-ting, head of the CWA’s climate forecasting division, highlighted that Taiwan's winters, especially during the 2018-2019 season, have become noticeably warmer, with temperatures averaging 20.5 degrees.
WeatherRisk analyst Wu Sheng-yu suggests that extreme weather patterns, including warmer winters, may become more frequent. Taiwan is currently experiencing a warmer winter due to the El Niño phenomenon, but the trend extends beyond El Niño, with a consistent decrease in the occurrence of cold fronts at Taipei Station.
The warming trend in Taiwan is exacerbated by urban development, a significant factor in local climate shifts. Lin Pay-liam, Distinguished Professor at the National Central University, points out that island nations like Taiwan face unique challenges due to limited land, population growth, and tourism.
“Summers in Taiwan are lengthening, while winters are shortening. Some predictions even suggest that by 2050 or 2060, Taiwan might no longer experience winter,” Lin stated.
The Central Weather Administration expects drier dry seasons and wetter wet seasons in Taiwan, with increased extreme rainfall during the plum rain season and longer intervals without rain.
As Taiwan prepares for these shifts, the effects of global and local climate changes underscore the need for proactive environmental and societal measures.