extreme weather
Newsletter
Extreme weather exacerbates refugee camp hardships
Displaced women in Jordan, Bangladesh, and South Sudan face worsening conditions as extreme weather compounds the challenges of refugee life.
In short:
- In Jordan, Hamda al-Marzouq copes with extreme heat, impacting daily life and health in the Za’atari refugee camp.
- Umme Solima in Bangladesh struggles with landslides and damaged infrastructure, making daily survival difficult in Cox’s Bazar.
- Nyapuoch Phan Dak in South Sudan endures relentless flooding, limiting food supplies and mobility in the Rubkona camp.
Key quote:
“We walk long distances in the water, sometimes in the rain, and at times, we would even get no milk. But sometimes we’re able to get milk and sell to get something to feed our children.”
— Nyapuoch Phan Dak, refugee, widow, and mother of four in a South Sudan camp
Why this matters:
Extreme weather linked to climate change worsens the already dire conditions in refugee camps, threatening the survival and dignity of millions.
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Credit: Coast Guard News/Flickr
Hurricanes are becoming less predictable and more dangerous
Fueled by rising ocean temperatures, hurricanes are intensifying faster, lasting longer, and becoming less predictable, posing new challenges for communities worldwide.
In short:
- Climate change is extending hurricane seasons and increasing their intensity, with warmer oceans providing more energy for storms.
- Hurricanes are slowing down, leading to prolonged rainfall and increased damage in affected areas.
- Shifting hurricane tracks are bringing extreme storms to regions unaccustomed to such events.
Key quote:
"Because we can't suddenly turn off climate change and have everything go back to the way it was. There's an inertia to the system that we can't really get past. And so adaptation is going to be a big part of it."
— James Kossin, climate and atmospheric scientist, NOAA, retired
Why this matters:
Hurricanes are no longer playing by the rules. As climate change cranks up the Earth's thermostat, these once somewhat predictable storms are turning into wild cards, packing unpredictable punches that leave communities scrambling to pick up the pieces. Read more: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier.
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Newsletter
Credit: Nicholas Erwin/Flickr
Vermont farmers face uncertain future amid increased flood risks
Vermont farmers, reeling from last summer’s devastating floods, now face an uncertain future as persistent rains continue to threaten their livelihoods.
In short:
- Last summer’s floods caused nearly $45 million in damages to 264 farms across Vermont, devastating crops and financial stability.
- With 70% of farmers lacking crop insurance, many are left relying on inadequate federal disaster loans, adding to their financial burden.
- Ongoing weather unpredictability and insufficient government support leave farmers worried about their future sustainability.
Key quote:
“Easy access to loans is a good thing, but when you’ve already borrowed to the point where you know you can’t afford it, it doesn’t solve anybody’s problem.”
— Roy Beckford, director of University of Vermont Extension.
Why this matters:
The resilience of Vermont's agricultural community is being tested as they navigate the challenges of climate change and inadequate support. As forecasts predict more rain, uncertainty looms large, leaving farmers to question their ability to sustain their livelihoods in a flood-prone future. Read more: Soggy springs, scorching summers: Higher temperatures taking toll on US staple crops.
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Newsletter
Credit: NASA Johnson/Flickr
Hurricane Beryl barrels towards the Yucatán Peninsula after devastating Jamaica
Hurricane Beryl unleashed destruction in Jamaica and is now headed for the Yucatán Peninsula, potentially threatening South Texas by Sunday.
Matthew Cappucci, Kim Bellware, Samantha Schmidt, and Anumita Kaur report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Hurricane Beryl brought severe flooding, winds, and power outages to Jamaica, causing significant damage after wreaking destruction on Grenada, St. Vincent and other Caribbean islands. Several deaths were reported.
- The storm is expected to hit the Yucatán Peninsula with hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall and storm surges by Friday.
- Beryl may re-strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico, posing a threat to South Texas, which could experience heavy rainfall and potentially hurricane conditions by early next week.
Key quote:
“Total devastation all around."
— Allison Caton, owner of Paradise Beach Club, which was destroyed in the hurricane, on the hard-hit Caribbean island of Carriacou.
Why this matters:
As the first hurricane of the season, Beryl's rapid intensification and path of destruction through several small Caribbean nations highlight the dangers of increasingly severe weather patterns, indicating a need for stronger preparedness measures in vulnerable regions. There are growing calls for major greenhouse-gas-emitting countries to step up and provide financial support for recovery. Read more: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier.
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Newsletter
Credit: NASA Johnson/Flickr
How an early hurricane may signal a rough storm season
Hurricane Beryl's explosive growth and record-setting intensity foretell a potentially catastrophic storm season fueled by unusually warm waters in the Atlantic and Caribbean.
In short:
- Hurricane Beryl has set multiple records, including the earliest Category 4 storm and unprecedented rapid intensification.
- The storm’s strength is driven by abnormally warm sea temperatures, which are currently at levels typical of peak hurricane season.
- Experts warn that this trend indicates a season with more frequent and intense hurricanes, similar to the deadly 2005 season that spawned Hurricane Katrina.
Key quote:
“Beryl is unprecedentedly strange... It is so far outside the climatology that you look at it and you say, ‘How did this happen in June?’”
— Jeff Masters, meteorologist and Weather Underground co-founder
Why this matters:
With sea temperatures far above normal, the risk of severe hurricanes is heightened, posing serious threats to coastal communities and indicative of the broader impacts of climate change on weather patterns. Read more: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier.
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Photo by Ella Ivanescu on Unsplash
Climate change linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, including death
Exposure to environmental stressors related to climate change - such as extreme weather and high temperatures - is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a review of 492 studies published in JAMA Cardiology.
In short:
- An increased risk of cardiovascular disease was specifically linked to extreme temperatures, ground-level air pollution, hurricanes, cyclones, and dust storms.
- In some cases, experiencing a combination of stressors (such as pollution and high temperatures) amplified the risk.
- Older adults, individuals from minority groups, and those in low income communities were disproportionately affected by these stressors.
Key quote:
“Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower climate change–associated cardiovascular risk in vulnerable populations.”
Why this matters:
As climate change continues to alter global weather patterns, the environmental consequences examined in this article are becoming more common and more intense. With international climate agreements like COP28 failing to definitively address fossil fuels and other drivers of global warming, the authors emphasize the need to recognizethe human health impacts of climate change as a way to push for concrete action.
Related EHN coverage:
- Eliminating fossil fuels would save millions of lives, study finds
- Op-ed: How climate change harms pregnant people and their babies
- Oil and gas production responsible for $77 billion in annual US health damages: Study
More resources:
- Climate Change Resourcesprovides numerous sources of news, information, and avenues for action on climate change related issues.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)assesses international climate change science.
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Credit: UN Women Asia and the Pacific/Flickr/Photo: UN Women/Mohammad Rakibul Hasan
Earth warms at a record pace but climate change isn't accelerating
A new study reveals that Earth's warming rate reached an all-time high in 2023, driven primarily by human activity, but there is no evidence of accelerating climate change.
In short:
- A group of 57 scientists found that last year’s record temperatures are primarily due to increased fossil fuel burning.
- Despite the record warming rate, there is no significant acceleration in human-caused climate change beyond what was expected.
- The report highlights an alarming situation, with Earth likely to surpass the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold within 4.5 years if current emission trends continue.
Key quote:
“The future is in our hands. It’s us — not physics, but humans — who will determine how quickly the world warms and by how much.”
— Katharine Hayhoe, Texas Tech climate scientist and chief scientist at the Nature Conservancy
Why this matters:
With Earth on the brink of crossing critical temperature thresholds, urgent action is needed to mitigate severe health and environmental impacts, including extreme weather events and loss of biodiversity. Read more: Heat, air pollution and climate change … oh my! Was summer 2023 the new normal?
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