Taiwan is known for hot springing, a fun, and relaxing activity to partake in, set in beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, climate change effects have left Yang Ming Mountain National Park's hot spring pools high and dry this fall season.
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Visitors to Yang Ming Mountain soak their feet in the natural hot spring pools; a very popular activity after enjoying a day of hiking in the beautiful national park.
Taipei City Shamao Mountain Hot Spring Association Chairman Teng-zai You (游騰在) says that normally the mountain gets more rain in September or October, but this year is seeing an extremely rare water shortage.
Climate change is affecting rainfall so heavily that Qianshan Park Public Bathhouse has closed due to a lack of water. All-time high-temperature records were broken last month, as meteorologist Chi-Ming Peng (彭啟明) points out. The 2023 temperatures are especially obvious in analyses by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In addition to general climate change, the El Niño phenomenon has caused unprecedented temperatures and since it is still developing, next year’s conditions will be the hottest worldwide.
In light of the more disastrous effects of climate change, the impact on simple pleasures such as Taiwan’s hot springs does not seem as significant. But for locals, it serves as a closer-to-home reminder not to let one’s eco-consciousness run dry.