La Nina: Colder winters & ensuing energy crisis in Asia

Every year we see worsening weather conditions: extreme temperature, unpredictable rain, draughts and floods, excessive heat waves, etc. And now these changes in weather are affecting the world-supply-chains. Winters are here and one of the aspects of climate change: La Nina is standing on the doorsteps.

The pitfalls of La Nina

La Nina is a weather phenomenon in which a complex weather pattern occurs in winters. The equatorial trade winds push the cold, deep water of the sea to come to the surface in the Pacific. Because of which, the temperature falls below the average winter temperature and winters become frigid.

Due to La Nina, Asia observes colder and harsher winters. Weather forecasting predicts that Northern Asia will have very low temperatures in January and February. The issue is- these lands are not habitual of such cold weather. Due to climate change, weather conditions are becoming more dangerous, unpredictable, and harsh.

Image source: Pixabay

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La Nina is expected to add to Asia’s energy crisis

One would wonder how La Nina is going to play with the energy crisis. It is significant to understand that weather has multidimensional effects on life and activities on Earth. So, what happens: colder winters imply more energy demand.

Thus, the load on the already surging energy crisis will increase. The world is already grinding under the pit of high prices of oil and gas. And La Nina is only going to worsen the present conditions. Weather data has predicted that higher energy load will be required this winter.

Let’s understand the impact demography wise:

China: China is one of the top energy consumers in the world. The country is suffering from an energy crisis: with limited supply, high demand, thus, skyrocketing prices. In several cities of China, this year, the winter heating season began around four to 13 days earlier than in previous years. Local government systems, which are powered by coal or gas are fired up to warm residents’ homes in many areas.

Image source: Pixabay

Japan: Japan observed a surge in wholesale power prices during 2020’ winters as well. The Japan Meteorological Agency has predicted that temperature would fall lower due to La Nina. Last year, Japanese civilians were dependent upon expensive energy substitutes. Thus, this year the country is more prepared to face an energy crisis with better stability.

India: Weather forecasting has predicted that temperature would fall to as low as 3 degrees celsius in several northern areas of India. Likewise other nations, India is also grinding because of the same energy crisis. Additionally, experts have suggested that apart from La Nina, there are various other climate change factors too that will cause a decrease in temperature in Northern Asia.

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Bottom line

Glimpses of colder winters have already started to settle in Asia, especially in Northeast Asia. Water and air are predicted to be frigid till January. Conclusively, climate change is the enemy to smooth living. Extreme cold and heat waves, unusual temperature will become a normality in the following year, if stringent measures are not taken globally to curb the climate change crisis.