Taipei, Dec 31 (NationPress) The average annual temperature in Taiwan surged to an unprecedented 24.97 degrees Celsius in 2024, establishing it as the warmest year ever recorded, as reported by the local meteorological agency on Tuesday.
This temperature is 1.66 degrees higher than the century-long average. Every month, with the exception of December, experienced temperatures above the normal range, the meteorological department shared during a press conference.
Precipitation levels throughout the year remained close to the norm, although there was significant variation across the island, as indicated by the meteorological department.
The department anticipates a high likelihood that average temperatures in Taiwan from January to March 2025 will align with typical levels, while rainfall is predicted to be normal to below average, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Earlier this year, local environmental activists raised alarms over extensive coral bleaching occurring in the southern and eastern waters off Taiwan’s coast, a consequence of an extended heat wave.
Elaine Chen, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Eco-Angel Environmental Conservation Association, informed local media in July 2024 that divers observed coral bleaching in the waters near Kenting in southern Taiwan, as well as around Little Liuqiu, Orchid, and Green Islands.
The Taiwan Loo-Koo Yu Association, another environmental NGO, also reported cases of coral bleaching in June and July.
When seawater temperatures exceed 28 degrees Celsius for a duration of two weeks, the symbiotic algae within coral polyps release toxins that are detrimental to the corals, causing them to expel the algae and revealing the transparent coral polyps alongside white coral skeletons—this phenomenon is known as coral bleaching.
As noted by Lee Kun-hsien, a volunteer with the Taiwan Loo-Koo Yu Association, the seawater temperatures around Little Liuqiu Island usually range from 28 to 29 degrees Celsius in the summer, but this year, they have consistently been between 30 to 32 degrees Celsius.
He cautioned that if elevated temperatures persist following bleaching, the corals are likely to perish.
The last significant coral bleaching event around Taiwan occurred in 2020. While bleaching can cause immediate damage to coral reefs, with time and suitable conditions, most healthy and stable coral reefs can gradually recover.
Environmentalists have emphasized that bleached coral reefs are extremely susceptible, urging for reduced human activities near these ecosystems and enhanced measures to mitigate seawater pollution.
According to Lu Shiau-yun, head of the island's ocean affairs department, a draft for a coral conservation action plan is currently in development and is expected to be unveiled soon. She mentioned that the department is collaborating with academic institutions to continue monitoring this critical issue.
