Extreme weather events soar globally as temperatures rise
Recent reports highlight a marked increase in severe weather worldwide.
Seth Borenstein, Suman Naishadham, Sibi Arasu and Fabiano Maisonnave report for the Associated Press.
In short:
- Record temperatures and severe weather conditions have been reported across continents, with significant impacts on populations and infrastructure.
- Climate scientists link these unprecedented patterns to an 11-month streak of global warmth, exacerbated by human-induced climate change and natural cycles like El Nino.
- Floods, heatwaves, and abnormal climate conditions have resulted in deaths, disruptions, and substantial economic impact globally.
Key quote:
"Climate change is loading the weather dice against us in every part of the world."
— Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist for the Nature Conservancy
Why this matters:
This surge in extreme weather not only challenges our current infrastructure but also poses severe risks to health and safety. Understanding and adapting to these changes cannot be overstated as they represent a direct consequence of global warming, and could lead to even more severe climate phenomena if current trends continue. Read more: We must adapt to climate change. Can we do it in ways that solve other problems too?
