In 2023, natural disasters wreaked havoc worldwide, resulting in a staggering $250 billion in losses. Insurers covered less than half of this amount, showing the financial strain on both affected regions and insurance companies. The impact of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria contributed significantly to these catastrophic losses, which surpassed the average of the last decade.
2023 was the hottest year on record, highlighting the disruptive influence of climate change on weather patterns. Climate change scientists have already predicted that 2024 will be even hotter. This increase in temperatures is predicted to fuel more extreme weather events, as heightened evaporation and increased atmospheric moisture provide energy for severe storms.
This increased prevalence of extreme weather is one of many devastating products of climate change. Let’s delve deeper into the connection between climate change and extreme weather events, including the science behind it, the societal and environmental implications, and the imperative to take action in the face of this escalating global challenge.
How climate change causes natural disasters
Climate change is exacerbating natural disasters, impacting both people and wildlife globally. Let’s look at how exactly climate change is causing higher rates of natural disasters and other extreme weather events.
Extreme heat waves
Rising global temperatures directly contribute to more frequent and severe heat waves. Extreme heat poses significant health risks to both humans and wildlife. Climate change intensifies heat waves, making them longer and more dangerous. In the U.S., extreme heat has caused more deaths than any other natural disaster in the last 30 years.
Hurricanes
Climate change contributes to the intensification and frequency of hurricanes through warming ocean temperatures. This results in stronger storms, increased wind damage, and higher rainfall, which increases the risk of flooding. Island species, such as Florida’s Key deer, face severe threats from hurricanes, both to their habitats and their survival.
Harmful algal outbreaks
Climate change leads to increased outbreaks of harmful algae in coastal regions and inland bodies of water. Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall contribute to the growth of toxic algae, which poses a threat to marine life, including endangered species like whale sharks and sea otters.
Mega-fires
Climate change has caused warming and drying of forests, which has led to higher rates of wildfires. Mega-fires have devastating ecological impacts, as they threaten wildlife habitats and contribute substantial carbon emissions, further fueling climate change.
Droughts
Climate change increases the frequency and severity of droughts. This affects ecosystems and wildlife, as well as humans. Communities that rely on reservoirs and other water reserves have suffered a lack of water access due to this increased rate of droughts. Endangered species, such as the Amargosa vole in California, face habitat loss and reduced resources.
Floods
Warmer air holds more moisture, which leads to heavier rainfall and increased flooding. Flood risks are rising due to climate change, affecting both communities and wildlife. Extreme precipitation events are projected to become more frequent unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
Exploring the science behind climate change and extreme weather
According to the EPA, continuing emissions of greenhouse gases will usher in a cascade of climate changes. This domino effect includes a warmer atmosphere, an ocean undergoing both warming and acidification, elevated sea levels, and profound changes in precipitation patterns. The extent of these changes depends on our collective commitment to curbing greenhouse gas emissions. The more we emit, the larger the impending changes will be.
The EPA says that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases will increase the Earth’s average temperature, influence precipitation patterns, diminish ice and snow cover, raise sea levels, acidify oceans, intensify extreme weather events, and reshape ecosystems. The interconnectedness of these changes could result in a profound impact on our food supply, water resources, infrastructure, ecosystems, and human health.
The EPA acknowledges the role of other natural influences in climate change, including volcanic activity and changes in the intensity of the sun. Scientists use sophisticated climate change models to better understand these factors and project future climate scenarios. But the effects of past and present-day greenhouse gas emissions are projected to have a devastating impact. Some gases linger in the atmosphere for centuries, which complicates future projections.
Projected temperature changes
Using a foundation of climate science, the EPA has projected future temperature changes. Although we have already witnessed increasing global temperatures in recent decades, climate models project an additional increase of 0.5 degrees to 8.6 degrees by 2100. This troubling projection emphasizes the need for proactive measures, as the world braces itself for more frequent and intense extreme heat events, especially toward the latter half of this century.
Focusing on the U.S., the EPA anticipates an average temperature increase of 3 degrees to 12 degrees by 2100, based on emission scenarios and climate models. The prospect of more scorching heat waves, coupled with an increase in the number of days with temperatures over 90 degrees, poses significant challenges for various regions.
To address the growing threat of climate change and related natural disasters, policymakers should prioritize practical solutions. These include swift and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, fostering adaptation and resilience in natural systems, and implementing policies that protect both human communities and wildlife.