Many places around the world are witnessing extreme weather events becoming increasingly common. Can this issue be addressed?
Record rainfall, deadly heatwaves, severe wildfires… these are common occurrences in today’s news reports.
Is the weather on Earth becoming stranger? The answer is yes. But why is this happening?
The Earth’s climate has changed significantly throughout its 4.5 billion years of development.
In fact, these weather phenomena have occurred in the past, but the issue is that they are now happening more frequently and at much larger scales. According to meteorologists and environmental scientists, the Earth’s climate has undergone significant changes throughout its 4.5 billion years of development.
Nature has experienced periods of extreme heat and extreme cold. However, the current rate of change is endangering all life on the planet.
“Each of us, no matter where we live, is feeling the effects of climate change,” said climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe.
Heatwaves
Let’s begin with one of the most apparent impacts of climate change: heatwaves.
Climate change is causing heatwaves in many parts of the world.
As the world warms, heatwaves are not only becoming more frequent but also much more intense.
The recent heatwave along the U.S. West Coast pushed temperatures in Las Vegas to an all-time record high of 49 degrees Celsius.
During the most extreme heatwave, temperatures across the region were up to 20 degrees Celsius above average for this time of year.
The rising temperatures are also causing alarming ice melt in Alaska (USA). Studies show that the glaciers here are nearing dangerous thresholds.
In Saudi Arabia, over 1,300 people died during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, coinciding with an unusual heatwave. According to the BBC, temperatures at the Grand Mosque in Mecca reached 52 degrees Celsius at one point.
Greece also recently experienced its earliest recorded heatwave, resulting in the deaths of several tourists.
Climate change drives the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
Meanwhile, northern India is grappling with the most severe heatwave the country has ever seen, with temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius.
Summers in India have long been known for their heat and humidity, but this year’s heatwave is lasting longer, is more intense, and drier.
Heatwaves occur when high-pressure atmospheric systems move and push hot air down near the ground.
The problem we face now is that these high-pressure systems are being intensified as the Earth warms, creating a vicious cycle.
“The hotter the weather, the stronger the high-pressure system. Conversely, the stronger the high-pressure system, the hotter the weather,” Hayhoe explains.
Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding
Another byproduct of climate change is heavy rainfall. The main driver of this phenomenon comes from atmospheric rivers, or streams of moisture in the sky.
Another byproduct of climate change is heavy rainfall.
When this moisture-laden air approaches a mountain, it rises, cools, and condenses into raindrops before falling.
Due to climate change, atmospheric rivers are becoming stronger and larger as they absorb more water vapor.
In other words, the hotter the weather, the more water evaporates from the oceans, creating massive atmospheric rivers.
According to World Weather Attribution, during the autumn-winter of 2023/2024, rainfall in the UK and Ireland increased by approximately 20%. This increase is attributed to human-induced climate change.
In May, a catastrophic flood struck Afghanistan, killing over 300 people in the provinces of Baghlan, Takhar, and Badakhshan.
In June, heavy rain swept through Switzerland, France, and Italy, causing landslides and flooding. At least seven people were reported dead.
In India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, unusually heavy rainfall early in the year led to widespread flooding, resulting in the deaths of over 40 people.
Tropical Storms and Tornadoes
Storms and tornadoes are common weather phenomena known as tropical cyclones.
Regardless of their name, these storms are unique in that they are powered by warm ocean water. The oceans are particularly vulnerable to climate change, causing sea temperatures to rise.
“90% of the excess heat retained within the climate system goes into the oceans, rather than the atmosphere,” Hayhoe explains.
This results in storms not only becoming stronger and more frequent but also moving slower, thereby increasing the level of damage.
Hurricane Harvey, which struck the U.S. in 2017, was the first major hurricane for which scientists could calculate the impact of climate change on the event.
They found that climate change caused rainfall in Houston, Texas, to be three times higher and at least 15% stronger.
Wildfires
Wildfires are worsening due to climate change.
Another significant impact of climate change is the increasing frequency of severe wildfires. Wildfires are becoming more severe due to climate change, particularly from hotter and drier weather.
According to the Independent, wildfires have destroyed over 1.7 million acres of land in the first three months of 2024 alone in the U.S.
The BBC reported that the total area of forest burned in 2023 was eight times higher than the average over the past 40 years.
“Imagine dropping a match into a pile of dry wood that has been heated to extreme temperatures for weeks or even months,” Hayhoe continued.
“That’s why we are seeing an increase in the area burned and the number of large fires.”
Air Turbulence
In May, a Singapore Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence, resulting in one death and many others injured.
Turbulence like this will worsen due to the impacts of climate change.
At the same time, a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Ireland experienced severe turbulence over Turkey, injuring 12 people.
In July, dozens were injured after an Air Europa flight encountered severe turbulence. The flight from Spain to Uruguay had to make an emergency landing in Brazil due to conditions beyond control.
Scientists predict that such turbulence will worsen due to climate change. Alarmingly, these events are nearly impossible to predict in advance.
In a 2023 study, scientists warned that the world could be headed for a dangerous situation. This is due to humanity’s inadequate response to the impacts of climate change.
“Life on our planet is clearly under threat,” said William Ripple, an ecologist at Oregon State University and co-author of the study.
The study predicts that about one-third to one-half of the world’s population (equivalent to 3 to 6 billion people) could be pushed out of “habitable areas.” This means they may face extreme heat and food shortages.
Scientists also believe that humanity is over-exploiting the Earth, and politicians must urgently fight for policies to address this issue. Only then can we grasp the opportunity to survive the long-term challenges of climate change.
- The Truth Behind the “Equinox Weather Phenomenon” Causing Asia to Heat Up to 40 Degrees Celsius
- Hundreds of Thousands of Tons of Water Evaporate, Creating “Sky Rivers” and Historic Floods in China
- Photo Gallery: Unprecedented Increase in Extreme and Abnormal Weather; The World Buckles Under the Strain
