Extreme Weather Associated with Global Warming?
Global warming has caused a number of social and ecological changes in our environment, and evidence including rising temperatures and sea levels show the problem is increasing at an alarming rate. Although the increase in average global temperatures is probably due to rising human greenhouse gas concentrations, future climate projections show high concentrations of extreme weather events all over the world.
From rainfall to flooding, hurricanes to tornados, global warming continues to intensify atmospheric occurrences. Clearly this intensification of extreme weather will be the most visible change to impact everyday life, and the most vulnerable people will be the ones unable to cope with these changes, including the sick, the poor and the elderly.
Infrastructure
There are a number of ways that energy security will also be compromised by global warming and extreme weather conditions. Many countries have already experienced power outages related to intense storms, trains and barges transporting coal have been disrupted by flooding, oil and gas infrastructure is under threat as hurricanes and tropical storms batter the Gulf, and water shortages combined with extreme heat have begun to reduce the efficiency of electricity regeneration.
Heat Waves
Major heat waves will also be a regular occurrence with increased global warming. Over the next century, countries like the United States of America will see a 4 degree temperature increase, providing intense summer days across every part of the country. As concrete and asphalt structures absorb the heat, urban city areas will be most affected – some places could even be up to 10 degrees hotter than nearby rural areas.
Winter Weather
Extreme weather conditions will also have a peculiar effect on winter climates, making them shorter and much more milder – spring now arrives 10-14 days earlier than 20 years ago. As reduced ice cover on mountains increases snowfall over neighbouring cities, some places are expected to see heavy snowfall as storm tracks shift. Furthermore, higher temperatures have enhanced winter survival of crop pests, meaning millions of acres of forest have become infested with pine bark beetle. Less crop growth also means more waste, if you’re looking to make energy from increasing global warming, try searching energy from waste uk.
Drought
As global warming is increasing evaporation rates, it is also shifting precipitation patterns. This will create drier conditions in many places, and it will also intensify periodic droughts. These droughts will have a variety of major consequences for wildlife, agriculture and water supply.
Wildfires
Wildfires are already popping up all over the world due to increasing heat conditions around the equator, and the situation is only going to get worse. As temperatures rise, the land beings to dry out, and as global warming increases the chances of lightning, wildfires are set to engulf large parts of uninhabited land.
Extreme Flooding
As heavy rainfall caused by global warming continues to flood parts of the world, climate change is certainly part responsible for the extreme conditions we’re seeing. Warm air struggles to hold moisture, and less moisture means heavier precipitation and rainfall. Shifts in snowfall patterns are also a major cause of flooding, and combined with river ice melting, increased flood risks are becoming more common.
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