For 3rd straight year, no improvement in Earth’s projected warming
Associated PressNov 04, 2024
A study published in the journal Environmental Research: Climate found that Climate change intensified nearly 85% of North Atlantic hurricanes from 2019–2023, increasing wind speeds by an average of 30 km/h (18 mph) and 30 storms to higher categories.
32 of the 38 hurricanes analyzed were found to have been strengthened due to rising sea surface temperatures, adding that the storms were an average of 8.3 meters (27 feet) per second faster than they would've been without climate change.
Regarding specific Hurricanes, it found three — Hurricanes Lorenzo in 2019, Ian in 2022, and Lee in 2023 — were turned into Category 5 storms by climate change. Category 5 storms have winds of 157 mph or higher.
This study confirms what we've long known, with data already showing a doubling of major hurricanes since the 1980s. Rising sea levels also amplify flooding, while slower-moving storms increase destruction. While non-climate change factors are also at play here, governments must take these facts seriously and work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve infrastructure for extreme weather, and build communities to withstand worsening storms.
Climate change is not causing more hurricanes or making them significantly worse. Historical data show hurricane frequency has declined slightly since 1900, with no strong trend in increased intensity. While people are reasonably concerned when they see rises in destruction, it's important to remember that this is caused by population growth in vulnerable areas, poor infrastructure, and inadequate disaster planning, which demand practical, localized solutions.