extreme weather essay

Extreme Weather and Global Warming

Increase in sea levels, weather change, negative effects on animals, research justification, essay voice-over.

One of the major issues confronting the current world is global warming. Scientists have argued that our production of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide is having an impact of heating on the atmosphere, and as a result, this could be harmful to for human life. The Global warming is a bad phenomenon that is causing to see level raise, change weather pattern, and create alteration in animal life.

Many problems are associated with global warming. Among them, the biggest one is rising sea level. This can lead to flooding of low-lying coastal cities and areas, for example, Egypt, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. There is a possibility that some nations can totally disappear! Global warming also causes changes in weather patterns. Some parts of the world are experiencing floods, increased hurricanes, and other unusual weather. Thirdly, global warming is associated with some effects on animals. For instance, a population of fish stands to be affected, while some insects that spread diseases may become prevalent (Treberth et al., 2014).

There are some things we as the human can execute in solving the global warming problems. One of them is to quit producing carbon dioxide. This can be achieved by switching from coal, gas and oil to renewable energy. Also, we can solve the problem by planting trees. Trees produce oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide. Additionally, we can utilize less energy and recycle more products. When we generate electricity we, increase the levels of carbon dioxide. Using less electricity will consequently reduce C02 levels (Treberth et al., 2014).

In conclusion, we need to make small changes in the way we live so that we avoid huge alterations in the future. Governments, scientists, and everyone must pull together to overcome this impending danger.

Since the Industrial Revolution, global warming is the major contributor to the rise in the global sea levels. Burning oil and cutting down the forested areas cause the increase in the concentration of the heat-trapping gases that exist in the atmosphere. Thus, since 1880, our planet has already warmed by 1.5°F. Furthermore, the rise in the air temperature also contributes to the warming of the ocean waters. The land ice such as ice sheets and glaciers store more than a half of the global reserves of fresh water and is also declining due to the increase in the temperature. The devastating result is that the majority of the global glaciers, including the Greenland ice sheet, are rapidly loosing ice thus adding unnecessary amounts of water to the oceans (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2013).

Other factors like land sinking and the change in ocean currents also greatly contribute to the rise in the sea levels. Such influences are the major contributors to the ‘hot spots’ that face the above-average local sea levels, namely the Gulf and East coasts of the U.S. The issue of rising in sea levels is important because a third of the State’s population lives in the coastal areas. Furthermore, the pre-coastal areas account for approximately forty percent of the country’s GDP. Florida, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Louisiana are the coastal states that are extremely vulnerable to the flooding caused by the warming in temperature. The mentioned states have residents that live less than 3.3 feet above the rising tides. Depending on the future emissions of greenhouse houses and the resulting loss of land ice, the average sea level might increase to a higher level in the following century (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2013).

Almost all weather events are nowadays influenced by the changes in climate caused by global warming. While the variousness of nature remains a great contributor to extreme weather, global warming increases its influence with every year. Indeed, the extreme changes in the weather conditions that are more likely to occur in the warming climate continue to appear. On the other hand, the understanding of how global warming influences the changes in weather continues to expand. Since warmer air means more moisture, the recent changes in precipitation are greater than the changes predicted by the majority of climate models (Treberth et al., 2011).

The climate changes caused by global warming have enormous negative effects on the wildlife as well as domestic animals. The increasing temperature alongside with the increases in humidity and precipitation are the main contributors to the diseases spread among all animals; however, the wildlife is under a greater among all. In the territories situated in the Northern Hemisphere, the global warming has been a major contributor to the parasitic diseases with complex life cycles. For instance, the black-legged tick that carries an array of dangerous diseases including the Lyme diseases has been spreading throughout North America, harming the local wildlife and stock. When it comes to Europe, the bean tick that transmits similar diseases has been spotted in Swede and Norway. The likely reason for this issue for this are the migrating birds that carry the feeding ticks (USGS, 2012).

The sources used in the assignment include the USGS report on Climate Change and Wildlife Health that provides in-depth information on the affects of global warming on the world’s wildlife as well as domestic animals. The report offers an analysis of the changes in the planet’s ecosystem as well as provides imagery such as photographs, maps, and graphs that support the outlined claims. Furthermore, the wildlife diseases are examined carefully alongside with drawing a conclusion that global warming and changes in climate are one of the main contributors to the decline of the animal population around the globe. The second source used is a report conducted by the Climate Communication organization on the Current Extreme Weather and Climate Change. Again, the report includes graphs and images that present the factual material in a visual manner while the main body of the report supports and explains the factual data. The report outlines such issues as the decrease in cold weather, precipitation, floods and droughts are the main problems caused by the global warming.

The fact sheet created by the Union of Concerned Scientists on Causes of Sea Level Rise is a well-researched article that outlines the significant changes in climate influenced by the global warming. Lastly, the article written by Treberth et al. gives a profound review of the changes in the global drought. The weaknesses of the presented assignment may include the lack of detailed exploration; however it is justified by the fact that such an extensive topic is complicated to cover in a couple of pages. The strongest point is that the main issues caused by global warming are outlined with the use of scientific reports and articles provided as references.

Treberth, K. E., Dai, A., van der Schrier, G., Jones, P. D., Barichivich, J., Briffa, K. R., & Sheffield, J. (2014). Global warming and changes in drought. Nature Climate Change , 4 (1), 17-22.

Treberth, K., Meehl, J., Masters, L., & Somerville, R. (2011). Current Extreme Weather and Climate Change . Web.

Union of Concerned Scientists. (2013). Causes of Sea Level Rise .

USGS. (2012). Climate Change and Wildlife Health: Direct and Indirect Effects . Web.

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Causes and effects of extreme weather events.

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            Extreme weather is defined as severe, usually unexpected hazards that are out of the ordinary. Floods, droughts heat waves and bush fires are examples of extreme weather. Too much or too little precipitation, change in temperature, or high pressure systems create hazards which affect people all over the world. Scientists say winter weather in the United Kingdom is growing more extreme which could be due to 'random fluctuations in the climate system'. The changes in air pressure over the North Atlantic Ocean has resulted in five out of the ten most extreme winters of the last century to occur in the past decade. This shows that the climate has become increasingly unsettled which has resulted in numerous accounts of extreme weather. These extreme winter weather events are mirrored throughout the summer months where there have been heat waves and droughts which are followed by flooding.              Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and the view of scientists is that it is not possible to link any one particular extreme weather event to climate change. Despite the daze about what is causing extreme weather, it is clear that the planet is warming up and we are seeing severe weather all around the world. Records kept by the International Disaster Database indicate that the number of floods and windstorm disasters has increased significantly since the 1960s and these events are more intense, long-lasting and affect more people. Most climate models indicate an increase in the frequency and length of extreme events. Scientists use climate models to predict patterns of future heat waves. From the evidence of past events, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is confident that certain weather events will become more frequent, widespread and intense as climate changes.              The 'National Geographic' say that extreme weather is caused by 'rotten luck and a warmer planet' in an article published August 20th 2012.

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Home > UGS > DISSERTATIONS > AAI13805813

Three Essays on Managing Extreme Weather Events and Climatic Shocks in Developing and Developed Countries

Md Tanvir Pavel , Florida International University

Climate change and extreme weather events are affecting the environment, and people’s livelihood in both developing and developed countries. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, livestock, water resources, human health, terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity, and coastal zones are among the major sectors impacted by these shocks. The challenge of adaptation is particularly acute in the developing countries, as poverty and resource constraints limit their capacity to act. Bangladesh fits in this category, and thus I use data from Bangladesh to analyze the adaptation process in the first and second chapter of my dissertation. In the first chapter, I investigate whether transient shocks (flood, cyclone) or permanent shocks (e.g., river erosion that leads to permanent loss of lands) have more influence on interregional migration. Findings of the study suggest that the households prefer to move to the nearest city when the environmental shock is temporary, whereas they tend to relocate over a greater distance when the environmental shock is more permanent in nature. In the second chapter, I investigate the feasibility of a set of adaptation measures to cope with hydro-climatic shocks (e.g. floods, drought, cyclones, tidal waves) and epidemic shocks (emergence or re-emergence of infectious diseases on livestock and poultry) in the agricultural sector in Bangladesh. Findings suggest that a decrease in agricultural income due to climatic and/or epidemic shocks is likely to induce households to adapt more. Developed countries are also vulnerable to extreme weather events and climatic shocks. In 2017, United States was hit by three consecutive hurricanes: Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Given the rising exposure and the increasing need to manage coastal vulnerability, the third essay focusses on understanding household preferences for financing adaptation activities in the U. S. and analyzes which mechanism, i.e., state or federal adaptation fund approach, is better suited to managing exposure to such types of natural disaster in the future.

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Pavel, Md Tanvir, "Three Essays on Managing Extreme Weather Events and Climatic Shocks in Developing and Developed Countries" (2018). ProQuest ETD Collection for FIU . AAI13805813. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/dissertations/AAI13805813

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The Extreme Weather Essay for icse class 8 students

  The Extreme Weather Essay for icse class 8 students

Understanding Extreme Weather

Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common and are a topic of great concern worldwide. In this essay, we will explore the various aspects of extreme weather, including its causes, types, and the importance of preparedness in facing these challenges.

What is Extreme Weather?

Extreme weather refers to severe and unusual weather conditions that deviate from the typical patterns we expect in a given region. These events can be intense and destructive, causing harm to people, property, and the environment. Extreme weather can take various forms, and understanding these different types is crucial.

Types of Extreme Weather

1. Hurricanes and Typhoons:

Hurricanes and typhoons are powerful tropical storms that develop over warm ocean waters. These storms are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges. They can cause extensive damage to coastal areas, including flooding and destruction of homes and infrastructure.

2. Tornadoes:

Tornadoes are violent windstorms characterized by a twisting, funnel-shaped cloud. They can have devastating effects, tearing apart buildings and uprooting trees. Tornadoes are often associated with severe thunderstorms.

Flooding occurs when there is an overflow of water onto normally dry land. This can happen due to heavy rainfall, melting snow, or the breach of dams and levees. Floods can cause damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure, as well as displacement of people.

4. Droughts:

Droughts are prolonged periods of below-average rainfall, leading to water scarcity. They can have severe consequences for agriculture, water supply, and ecosystems. Droughts can also lead to food shortages and economic hardship.

5. Heatwaves:

Heatwaves are extended periods of abnormally high temperatures. They can pose health risks, especially to vulnerable populations like the elderly and children. Heatwaves can also lead to wildfires and strain energy resources.

6. Winter Storms:

Winter storms bring heavy snowfall, ice, and freezing temperatures. They can disrupt daily life, cause transportation issues, and lead to power outages. Ice storms, in particular, can be dangerous due to icy roads and falling trees.

Causes of Extreme Weather

Extreme weather events are the result of complex interactions in the Earth's atmosphere and climate system. Some of the key factors contributing to extreme weather include:

1. Climate Change:

Climate change, driven by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, is altering the Earth's climate. This leads to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like hurricanes, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall.

2. Natural Variability:

Natural processes within the climate system, such as El Niño and La Niña events, can influence weather patterns. These periodic climate phenomena can lead to droughts, floods, and shifts in weather patterns.

3. Topography:

The geographical features of an area, such as mountains, valleys, and coastlines, can influence weather patterns. Mountains, for example, can lead to orographic rainfall, while coastal areas are more susceptible to hurricanes and storm surges.

4. Atmospheric Conditions:

Changes in atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity can create conditions conducive to extreme weather events. Low-pressure systems can lead to the formation of storms, while high-pressure systems can result in prolonged heatwaves.

Impacts of Extreme Weather

Extreme weather events have far-reaching consequences for both the environment and human society. Some of the major impacts include:

1. Loss of Life:

Extreme weather events can result in loss of human life, especially when they catch communities off guard. Preparedness and early warning systems are essential to mitigate these risks.

2. Property Damage:

Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires can cause extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, leading to significant economic losses.

3. Displacement:

Severe weather events can force people to evacuate their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. This displacement can be temporary or long-term, depending on the extent of the damage.

4. Crop Failures:

Droughts and extreme heat can lead to crop failures, impacting food production and food security. This can lead to food shortages and higher prices.

5. Environmental Impact:

Extreme weather can harm ecosystems, causing habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and damage to natural resources.

6. Economic Consequences:

The economic impact of extreme weather is substantial, with billions of dollars spent on recovery and rebuilding efforts each year.

7. Health Risks:

Heatwaves, floods, and storms can pose health risks to individuals, from heat-related illnesses to waterborne diseases in flooded areas.

Preparedness and Mitigation

In the face of extreme weather events, preparedness and mitigation strategies are crucial. Here are some important steps that individuals and communities can take:

1. Early Warning Systems:

Stay informed about weather forecasts and warnings issued by meteorological agencies. Follow evacuation orders if necessary.

2. Emergency Kits:

Prepare emergency kits with essential supplies such as non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, and first-aid supplies.

3. Disaster Plans:

Develop family or community disaster plans that outline what to do in case of extreme weather events. Identify safe evacuation routes and meeting points.

4. Climate Action:

Support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, which can help mitigate the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

5. Flood Preparedness:

If you live in flood-prone areas, consider elevating your home, purchasing flood insurance, and having sandbags ready to protect against flooding.

6. Drought Mitigation:

Practice water conservation and implement efficient irrigation techniques to mitigate the impacts of drought on agriculture and water resources.

7. Heatwave Safety:

During heatwaves, stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and check on vulnerable individuals like the elderly.

Extreme weather events are a significant and growing concern for people around the world. Understanding the causes, types, and impacts of extreme weather is essential for students up to Class 8. By learning about these events and the importance of preparedness and mitigation, students can become more informed and responsible citizens, ready to face the challenges posed by extreme weather in the future. Climate change is a critical factor exacerbating extreme weather, emphasizing the need for global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our planet.

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Extreme Weather Patterns and Climate Change

Climate change, global warming, and extreme weather patterns, extreme weather patterns: impacts, solutions and recommendations, works cited.

Modern scientists have been analyzing how climate change is associated with extreme weather conditions. Unfortunately, the scholars have been unable to present accurate relationships between the two. The collected data has revealed that the current changes in climate are attributable to increasing global temperatures (Frischkorn). Many scholars argue that short-term occurrences such as typhoons cannot be directly related to the issue of climate change (“Climate Change”). This is the case because the planet has recorded similar extreme happenings in the past. It is also arguable that most of these events have been occurring more frequently in the recent past.

From the above analysis, it is notable that such events are catalyzed by several risk factors. Global warming has therefore been singled out as a major factor that influences various weather events or patterns. Although natural events or cycles occur periodically, the level of global warming has been on the rise within the past decade. This means that increased global temperatures have become a risk factor for various weather changes (Romm 73). These developments can be used to explain why there is a possibility of advanced changes in climatic patterns. For instance, climatic trends in different regions have changed significantly within the past five centuries.

The above understanding supports the fact that global warming has become the leading risk factor for extreme weather events and patterns. With human activities catalyzing the rate at which the planet is warming, chances are extremely high that climate change will be inevitable. This is the case because global warming has been associated with rising sea levels and increased levels of precipitation (“Climate Change”).

Human-induced changes in climate will eventually result in extreme occurrences. In the United States, the past five decades have been characterized by increased temperatures, prolonged downpours, and unprecedented droughts (Romm 103). Future studies will be required to present accurate information that can be used to explain how climate change continues to influence global weather patterns.

Changes in global temperatures have been linked to climate change in different parts of the world. Environmentalists have outlined several indicators to support the fact that the global climate has changed significantly (“Climate Change”). Some of these indicators include increased air and sea temperatures, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and loss of snow in the hemispheres (Romm 39). Many scholars strongly believe that such changes have led to unsympathetic weather patterns. Unless something is done urgently, experts indicate that the planet will continue to experience unprecedented weather events in the coming years.

The first extreme weather pattern is the current change in global temperatures. Studies indicate that average global temperatures have been on the rise since the year 1900 (“Climate Change”). Some of the warmest years have been recorded since 1998 (“Climate Change”). These temperatures have led to increased levels of downpours in every continent. Many scientists acknowledge the fact that the world has been encountering both increased temperatures in summer and cooler periods in winter. This scenario has led to record lows and highs within the past twenty years.

Many regions have been recording heavy downpours in the recent past. Such precipitations can occur in a single day and disappear. These extremes usually result in heavy downpours that leave many people homeless or displaced. Such precipitations have forced people to migrate to other regions. The losses caused by such downpours amount to billions of US dollars (Romm 69).

Statistics indicate that annual precipitation has been increasing since 1902. However, some areas have been affected the most by such weather events. Tropical storms have intensified in different regions such as the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean (“Climate Change”). Although some analysts argue that the number of hurricanes recorded annually has not been on the rise, it is remarkable that they have become more catastrophic and disastrous. These extremes have affected operations in different seaports and economic activities such as fishing and mining.

The current rate of downpours explains why river flooding is a major problem today. Romm believes that flooding has become a common occurrence in different countries (92). Large floods have also been recorded in various states across the United States. These floods have made it impossible for more people, firms, and organizations to pursue their economic objectives (Levin). More often than not, such floods leave many people homeless, destroy infrastructure, and disrupt agricultural activities.

Droughts have been recorded in more countries than ever before. This occurrence indicates that the world is currently facing extremes in weather (Frischkorn). These abnormal changes have catalyzed new problems such as feminine, diseases, and poverty, especially in the developing world. Prolonged droughts have been observed to make it hard for people to get clean water. Such changes also stress natural occurrences or systems.

Climate science is a field that should be taken seriously by modern researchers. This kind of science will present risk-based data and information that can be used to forecast the future of these extreme weather patterns. The gathered data can then be analyzed to inform various investments in adaption, awareness, and prevention. The above discussion has indicated that global warming is one of the leading risk factors for these extremes. Human beings should embrace various practices that have the potential to deal with the problem (Frischkorn).

Some evidence-based initiatives include minimizing the emission of greenhouse gases, conserving water, utilizing energy efficiently, and embracing sustainable economic activities (“Climate Change”). If such approaches are ignored, more people will continue to suffer due to these extreme weather changes experienced in every part of the world. Governments should support research studies to produce meaningful information that can be used to deal with global warming. These efforts will eventually minimize the above extreme weather events and address their respective impacts.

“ Climate Change Indicators: Weather and Climate ”. EPA. Web.

Frischkorn, Kyle. “Does Climate Change Cause Extreme Weather Events?” Smithsonian Magazine . 2017. Web.

Levin, Kelly. “ Extreme Weather: What’s Climate Change Got to Do With It? ” World Resources Institute . 2017. Web.

Romm, Joseph. Climate Change. Oxford University Press, 2015.

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Extreme Weather, Its Causes and Consequences Research Paper

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The world has been experiencing extreme weather conditions over the last several decades. According to scientists, this phenomenon has been influenced by the increasing rate of climate change because of global warming. The high rate of industrialization has been a major contributor to global warming due to an increase in human activities (White 30). The high volume of greenhouse gases in the environment has led to the diminution of the ozone layer, thus reducing its effectiveness about protecting the earth’s surface from the sun. Although historic records indicate that extreme weather conditions have been experienced since time immemorial, climatologists argue that those being experienced in the 21 st Century are of a bigger magnitude (Wehner 824).

Extreme weather conditions are characterized by unpredictable, unprecedented, unevenly distributed, and unseasonable atmospheric conditions. Historically, climatologists were able to classify various regions depending on the atmospheric conditions they encountered at different times and magnitudes (Sandford 61). However, this phenomenon has changed a lot because the weather patterns are very irregular and the atmospheric conditions are extremely high. Regions that were classified as semi-arid are rapidly graduating into arid areas due to prolonged periods of high temperatures and low rainfall levels (Sobel 450). The clearing of vegetation for agricultural, industrial, and settlement purposes has been the main human activity that has contributed to global warming across the world. An event that shows the world is experiencing extreme weather conditions is Hurricane Katrina that hit the United States in 2005.

Research has established that the earth is currently experiencing extreme weather conditions compared to those that people have been accustomed to for a long time. Global warming has a lot to do with the severe weather because of the high human activities (Sandford 69). However, some people have a different opinion and believe that nothing much has changed about the atmospheric conditions experienced across the world. They argue that weather patterns are the only thing that has changed. Even though the patterns have changed, they fail to admit that they are very irregular, unprecedented and often happen outside their usual seasons.

Extreme weather conditions are characterized by powerful rains, snowstorms, and intense drought periods all of which are extreme and a result of climate change (Sobel 454). Global warming is a reality and challenge in the contemporary world that cannot be ignored anymore. Climatologists described the first decade of the 21 st century as the hottest in history. The ozone layer has been worn-out by great lengths, thus making the average temperature across the world to increase. This has in turn altered the weather patterns that people were accustomed to over the years. There is an urgent need to identify ways in which its impacts can be addressed to restore the atmospheric conditions to its normality. The first step towards achieving this feat is appreciating the fact that climate change is the major cause of the extreme weather conditions and human activities need to be more environmentally conscious (Sandford 98).

Studies have established that the increase in the average temperature on earth has resulted in intense rain, snowstorms, and severe drought across various parts of the world. In areas that experience intense rain due to high-intensity storms, flooding has become a major challenge that people have to deal with regularly. Due to the high temperatures, the flash floods often result in extreme precipitation, which has had serious negative impacts because most of the affected areas are never mapped as being vulnerable (White 30). Tornados are also an effect of climate change that contributes to extreme weather conditions. They tend to form under high temperatures when moist air at the earth’s surface encounters the drier air in the atmosphere (Olsson 16).

Tornadoes often cause a lot of distraction to infrastructure, especially if they were not anticipated and of unknown magnitude. Studies have established that most people across the world are getting used to the extreme weather conditions. They describe them as the new normal because there is very little being done to take things to their normal state, while the few strategies that have been tested have not yielded the projected outcomes (Olsson 17). There is an urgent need for all the relevant authorities and major stakeholders to create global awareness about the impact that various human activities are having on the atmosphere and their negative influence on climatic patterns (Sobel 457). Human beings have an ethical responsibility of taking care of the environment, thus it is important to engage them in all strategies of the protection of the biosphere.

Studies have established that some of the major extreme weather conditions were on the rise over the last couple of decades. Reliable evidence confirms that the increase is closely related to human activities (Olsson 20). They have contributed a lot to the high amount of greenhouse gases in the environment over the years. The higher the volumes of these gases, the warmer the earth gets because the ozone layer keeps being depleted (Olsson 25). This in turn triggers several changes in the earth’s climate such as heatwaves, prolonged droughts due to low rainfall levels, and some areas experiencing heavy downpours. Heatwaves refer to periods when the earth experiences abnormally high temperatures that extend for a long period. Some of the longest heatwaves recorded in the United States lasted for a month across Texas in 2011 and Midwest in 2012.

According to climatologists, human-induced climate change has increased the chances of such extreme weather events happening and causing substantial damage (Myers 100). Drought is evidence of the world experiencing extreme weather conditions. A shortage of rainfall over a long period is a situation that arises due to extremely high temperatures that increase the rate of evaporation in the earth’s surface and loss of moisture from plants due to dry soils (Wehner 827). Other factors such as high wind speed and reduced humidity also play a major role in necessitating drought. The irregular nature of rainfall patterns due to climate change contributes to the highest number of drought cases reported in most parts of the world (Myers 109). Even in areas that are known to have high precipitation, cases of drought are a huge possibility as long as the level of the earth’s temperature does not come down or extends for a long period.

Heavy downpours are also a notable sign of the extreme weather conditions currently experienced across the world. According to climatologists, the changes in rainfall patterns and amounts happened a lot over the last couple of decades. Certain areas that were mapped as high rainfall regions have been experiencing heavier downpours regularly (Myers 116). This has resulted in heavy flooding and huge destruction of roads and other forms of infrastructure. Flooding also results in a high rate of precipitation, which climatologists say contributes to the high frequency of heavy downpours (Olsson 51). This normally happens because of the high temperatures caused by climate change. The atmosphere tends to absorb more vapors when it is filled with warm air. Once the vapor has been trapped into the atmosphere, it is quickly availed to systems that necessitate the process of forming rainfall. It is important to note that climatic changes play a major role in the alterations that are often witnessed in rainfall patterns.

The same case applies to storms, whose intensity and frequency is heavily dependent on human-induced climate change (Latin 114). There are four major types of flooding associated with the extreme weather conditions experienced across the world. The first one is flash flooding that often happens in steep waterways and is mainly caused by intense precipitation. The second one is urban flooding, which is caused by heavy downpours that happen over short durations. According to climatologists, urban areas are prone to flooding due to the nature of its infrastructure that creates impervious surfaces such as pavements and parking lots (Latin 116). The third one is river flooding that happens when the amount of water drained into a river is beyond its holding capacity. The final one is coastal flooding characterized by storms that push large volumes of water towards the shore. Coastal flooding is heavily necessitated by human-induced climate change whereby an increase in precipitation levels leads to heavy downpours that result in the sea level rising (Latin 121).

Hurricanes are also a reliable type form of evidence to prove that the world is currently experiencing extreme weather conditions. They are severe tropical cyclones characterized by heavy rains and winds moving at a speed of 73-136 knots (Myers 166). One of the main factors behind hurricanes is an irregular increase in the temperature of the sea surface. This element coupled with the increased concentration of gases that trap heat from the atmosphere has led to the occurrence of high magnitude hurricanes more frequently (Tebaldi 491). Climatologists argue that increased human activity near large water bodies and unsustainable management of both solid and liquid waste has contributed a lot to the several hurricanes that have hit different parts of the world (Franklin 3581).

The same element has also affected the occurrence of winter storms whose frequency and intensity have greatly increased over the years. Reports indicate that most of the storms that have been experienced in the United States over the last couple of decades have resulted in heavy financial losses. The main reason for this phenomenon is the fact that the storms have become unpredictable in terms of the time of occurrence and magnitude. These two elements have made it extremely hard for the relevant authorities to put in place effective disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies (Latin 200). However, reports also identify factors such as the increasing global population and reducing poverty levels as major contributors to climate change that has affected weather patterns. Many people have resources to buy cars, build more homes, and produce more waste all of which contribute heavily to the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Climatologists argue that one of the factors responsible for climate change in the world is human activities that have led to the expansion of the greenhouse effect. Although studies have established that there are possible causes of climate change that are not related to human activities, it is important to note that human-induced climate change has played the biggest role in altering weather patterns across the world. Volcanic eruptions and orbital changes are natural causes of climate change that have affected the atmospheric balance, thus leading to the depletion of the ozone layer. The extreme weather conditions experienced across the world are because of climate change.

Climate change has resulted in water bodies drying up, shrinking of glaciers, as well as longer and shorter maturity periods for plants. The degree of global temperatures has also changed a lot due to climate change. Some of the notable events that provide evidence that the world is experiencing extreme weather conditions include tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, storms, floods, and heavy downpours. There is an urgent need for human beings to reconsider how the various activities they engage in are affecting the atmospheric balance. All the relevant authorities should come together and make sure they have the support of everyone in a bid to influence several changes. Everyone needs to understand the importance of managing global warming by reducing emissions and sustainable waste management.

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Tebaldi, Duffy. “Increasing Prevalence of Extreme Summer Temperatures in the U.S.” Climatic Change , vol. 11, no. 2, 2012, pp. 487-495.

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• Global Warming: Accumulation of Greenhouse Gases
• Carbon Dioxide and Greenhouse Effects
• Anthropogenic Climate Change
• Climate Change: Global Warming Intensity
• Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
• Occurrence of Tropical Storms in the North Atlantic
• Flooding, Landslides and Mudflows in Florida
• The History of Drought in Cape Town
• The Effects of Acid Precipitation
• El Niño: Weather Phenomenon Turned Global Scourge
• Technology Influence on Climate Change
• Climate Change and Its Impacts on the UAE
• Global Warming and Climate Change: Fighting and Solutions
• Large-Scale Patterns of Climatic Variations
• Climate Change Debates and Scientific Opinion

Responding to the Climate Threat pp 145–148 Cite as

Essay 26. This Is How Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change Are Connected

• Gary Yohe 5 ,
• Henry Jacoby 6 ,
• Richard Richels 7 &
• Benjamin Santer 8  
• First Online: 14 March 2023

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Climate at a particular location is the average of the weather over a 20 or 30 year time frame. Climate warming is expected to yield extreme weather events at odds with that historical record, and the rising likelihood of extremes in recent years can be attributed to this ongoing change.

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This essay first appeared as https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/564933-this-is-how-extreme-weather-events-and-climate-change-are .

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https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/climate/climate_weather.html .

https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/564722-how-do-climate-scientists-study-the-causes-of-climate-change .

https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/where-are-the-floods-in-germany-map-of-country-shows-worst-affected-areas-in-2021-flooding-disaster-3310455 .

https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2021/06/what-was-portland-up-to-the-last-times-it-got-this-hot .

https://theglobepost.com/2019/10/22/lessons-hurricane-dorian/ .

https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/10/multiple-extreme-climate-events-can-combine-to-produce-catastrophic-damages/ .

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Yohe, G., Jacoby, H., Richels, R., Santer, B. (2023). Essay 26. This Is How Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change Are Connected. In: Responding to the Climate Threat . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96372-9_26

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