US and China discuss climate crisis as world reels from heatwaves, wildfires, floods
Also read: Global weather alert: Heatwave engulfs US, Europe, Japan while floods wreak havoc in India and South Korea The prolonged extreme heat poses challenges to communities, with the international charitable organisation Salvation Army has been providing relief to individuals through cooling centres and mobile outreach for homeless. Scientists warn that climate change, caused by CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels, intensifies heatwaves and urges governments to take drastic actions to prevent a climate catastrophe. Also read: US heatwave: Record high temperature in California, Florida, Las Vegas.
‘Health risk’ waring issued The US and China's climate talks highlight the urgency of addressing global warming, with the target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius beyond reach. US climate envoy John Kerry and Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua discussed cutting methane emissions and coal-fired power in a meeting in Beijing. "In the next three days, we hope we can begin taking some big steps that will send a signal to the world about the serious purpose of China and the United States to address a common risk, threat, challenge to all of humanity created by humans themselves," said Kerry.
High temperatures in China threaten power grids and crops, raising concerns of a repeat of last year's severe drought, the most severe in 60 years. Typhoon Talim threatened China's southern coast, causing flight and train cancellations. South Korea experienced deadly torrential rains and flash floods that was heaviest recorded rain in the capital Seoul last year, reported Reuters.
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