The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) State of the Global Climate Report, released this March 2025, revealed that 2024 was the first calendar year to breach the 1.5°C global temperature. The breaching resulted in various implications, as reported in the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which are now experienced by many countries, especially in the Global South.​

 

In the first half of 2024, Southeast Asian countries have suffered extreme weather conditions, such as drought and heat waves. Among these countries, the Philippines reached the highest heat index of 53°C in Iba, Zambales, which was announced and classified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as Extreme Danger. Neighboring regions are experiencing almost the same temperature, prolonging the period of El Niño caused by the climate crisis. This year, as early as March, the country’s heat index already reached the danger classification of PAGASA and is expected to increase in the coming months.​​

 

These events affected the daily lives of Southeast Asian countries, bringing limited outdoor activities, suspension of work and classes, water scarcity, rise of heat-related illnesses and deaths such as dengue, heat cramp, heatstroke, and even the explosion of military weapons.