atmospheric river
Photo by michael podger on Unsplash
Valley fever on the rise in California due to climate extremes
California's extreme weather patterns, swinging between drought and heavy rains, are contributing to a significant increase in Valley fever cases.
In short:
- Intense atmospheric rivers and prolonged droughts in California create ideal conditions for the spread of Valley fever, a fungal disease.
- The disease, caused by Coccidioides spores, can lead to severe respiratory issues and disproportionately affects certain ethnic groups and pregnant individuals.
- Climate change is exacerbating the spread of Valley fever, with cases increasing dramatically in recent years.
Key quote:
"What kind of disease do you see a 1,000 percent increase in a matter of two decades?"
— Shangxin Yang, clinical microbiologist at UCLA.
Why this matters:
This surge in Valley fever highlights the direct impact of climate change on public health. It underscores the need for climate action and adaptation strategies, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather events, to mitigate health risks and protect vulnerable populations.
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Credit: Wade Austin Ellis/Unsplash
Lack of flood insurance exposes Californians to risks from atmospheric rivers
In California, the recent atmospheric rivers reveal a critical gap in flood insurance coverage.
In short:
- Only a quarter of homes in California's flood hazard zones have flood insurance, leaving many unprotected against atmospheric river storms.
- High insurance costs and "disaster fatigue" contribute to low coverage rates.
- The situation is worsened by climate change, which intensifies atmospheric river storms, increasing the risk of flooding.
Key quote:
"Disaster fatigue is a real thing. People wear out hearing they’re going to die from earthquakes, fires, and floods, and they get numb, and they don’t take actions to protect themselves."
— Jeffrey Mount, senior fellow, Public Policy Institute of California.
Why this matters:
This issue highlights the intersection of climate change, economic challenges, and public policy. It underscores the need for more effective measures to ensure adequate protection for vulnerable populations against the increasing risks of extreme weather events.
Americans have sorted ourselves into communities defined by geography, demography, ideology. Does the the shared trauma of flooding offer an opening?
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Photo by Giovanni Arechavaleta on Unsplash
Second atmospheric river hits California amid ‘life-threatening’ flooding warning
The National Weather Service warned continuous rainfall would hit over a 48-hour period in some already sodden areas across the state, including the central coast, the Los Angeles basin and in the mountain ranges.
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Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
California’s super bloom is back, but it’s threatened by climate change
The sudden transformation of California’s landscape from dry and apparently barren into kaleidoscopic fields of wildflower super blooms has captivated the country.
Photo by Billy Huynh on Unsplash
California redwoods suffer from effects of climate change-fueled weather whiplash
At hundreds to thousands of years old, California's iconic redwoods -- the tallest trees in the world -- have truly stood the test of time. But all of our atmospheric river storms have left them with a case of weather whiplash in this age of climate change.
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Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash
Will California get enough rain to fill its pricey new reservoir?
Named for the small community it will eventually inundate, the Sites Reservoir will divert water from the Sacramento River during high flow conditions via two existing canals and a new pumping station.
Photo by Ross Stone on Unsplash
Drought or no drought? California left pondering after record winter deluge
Severe storms may have filled reservoirs but in the Golden State, a dry spell is ‘always lurking in the background.'
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