Whirlwind but not Romance
Bridie Adams discusses the impact climate change is having on extreme weather
Data is suggesting that hurricanes are getting stronger as the world gets warmer. The past few years have been difficult for those living in hurricane hotspots like the US and the Caribbean, with more intense winds causing catastrophic effects. Although the number of hurricanes occurring has remained similar over the years, they are becoming stronger and more dangerous, resulting in more severe storms. The pace at which hurricanes intensify is increasing. However, hurricane forecasting systems are becoming more advanced , meaning they can be picked up on with more time to spare before disasters take place, which at least gives people warning of storms to come.
The past few years have been difficult for those living in hurricane hotspots
Hurricanes are now more likely to cause substantial damage than previously, which is of course likely to evoke fear within people living in areas where hurricanes are more common. These more destructive hurricanes are thought to be caused by the increase in temperature of the atmosphere and ocean due to activities like burning fossil fuels, which are caused by humans. The breakdown of our climate is affecting tropical storms in disastrous ways, putting areas of the world increasingly at risk of being damaged by strong hurricanes.
The breakdown of our climate is affecting tropical storms in disastrous ways
As the climate gets less healthy, hurricanes are only likely to get worse. This is also largely due to rising sea levels. According to a study, Hurricane Sandy (2012) would have been much less likely to occur a century earlier because sea levels were a foot lower back then.
As sea levels rise further, we may expect more hurricanes. If we can’t take care of the environment, we might be facing storms that are worse than we can now imagine in years to come.
