Extreme weather is one of the most obvious signs that our planet is getting hotter. Scientists warn that if we don’t make serious cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, global warming could become uncontrollable.
Heatwaves are particularly harmful. They not only threaten human lives and livestock but also strain our ecosystems. Crops can suffer, power plants can struggle to cool down, and transportation can be disrupted. Then there’s extreme rainfall, which leads to flooding, erosion, and damage to infrastructure, impacting both communities and the environment.
“Climate change is fueling a new, dangerous regime of extreme weather.” In his blog, UCS’s @DecletBarreto examines the communities most impacted by this summer’s extreme weather events and what could be in store for the remainder of #DangerSeason.
➡️ https://t.co/B33JffWPSf pic.twitter.com/BTHRDpoIRb
— Union of Concerned Scientists (@UCSUSA) September 8, 2024
But it’s not just warming that drives extreme weather. Research from the Cicero Center for International Climate Research and the University of Reading reveals that we might see an increase in extreme weather in the next two decades, due to a mix of climate warming and natural climate variations. Interestingly, efforts to improve air quality have temporarily masked some of warming’s impacts. If air pollution decreases, temperatures could rise more sharply.
Models show that without serious reductions in emissions, many tropical and subtropical regions will face severe temperature and rain extremes. Nearly three-quarters of the world’s population could feel the impact. However, if we stick to the Paris Agreement, that number could shrink to just 20%.
Interesting new paper👇
🌍 Between 20-70% of the world’s population could experience UNPRECEDENTED rates of extreme weather in the next 20 years depending on whether we follow a strong mitigation or high-emissions scenario. #ClimateCrisis #ExtremeWeather #InOurHands pic.twitter.com/AgF05xneyS
— Prof. Ryan Katz-Rosene (@ryankatzrosene) September 10, 2024
Bjørn Samset from the University of Reading warns that “in the best-case scenario, rapid changes will affect 1.5 billion people.” To cope, we need to prepare for a future with more extreme weather. This means upgrading our infrastructure and improving methods in agriculture and water management.
For context, climate change has been acknowledged since 1856, when a female scientist first identified it. Her early work laid the groundwork for our current understanding of climate issues. Today, it’s more evident than ever that we must act.
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Climate Change,extreme weather,greenhouse gases
