Page 83 - The World About Us

Wildfires
2.2.3

Can extreme weather be linked to climate change?

The climate is extremely complex and events in recent years. As global air and may lead to some areas becoming we er
the exact reasons for events, such as a sea temperatures rise they add extra while others become drier. Over me these
hurricane, deep snowfall or a prolonged energy to the planet’s weather systems. pa erns of weather may become more
drought, cannot be easily iden fied. Increased evapora on over warm easily associated with climate change.
However, there does appear to be an seas may lead to increased rain or snow- Some argue that because we cannot
increasing incidence of extreme weather fall over land. Shi ing climate pa erns prove a direct link between climate change
and these events then we can assume they
are not connected, and need not worry.
Reduced depth of the Others argue that as long as we cannot
Greenland icesheet.
disprove a connec on we should assume
the worst and do whatever we can to
reduce our carbon footprint to mi gate the
Increased glacial poten al outcomes of climate change.
earthquakes as the
weight of ice is The following examples of extreme
reduced through weather are taken from a list compiled by
melting. the American Na onal Oceanic and
Melting permafrost results in Atmospheric Administra on (NOAA) at the
damage to infrastructure from end of 2016 . It is not exhaus ve but does
roads to pipelines.
give a flavour of the year’s weather.
¤ Canada: Wildfires destroyed large parts of
Reduced water levels in Fort McMurray becoming the costliest
the Prairie Pothole region natural disaster in Canadian history.
threatens over 50% of
North American wildfowl. ¤ Alaska: 2016 was warmest year on record.
Mountain pine beetle ¤ Eastern/ Central Pacific: 21 tropical storms
kills off millions of trees in and 12 hurricanes amounted to 143% of
British Columbia. Increased river flooding. normal storm ac vity.
Disappearance of ¤ Hurricane Pali: from 7- 14th January,
the glaciers in the Die-off of pinyon pine Hurricane Pali became the earliest tropical
Glacier National Park. trees in SW USA storm ever recorded in the central north
and Mexico. Stronger and more damaging Pacific, as well as the hurricane with the
Extinction of the pika hurricanes threaten coastal cities. closest ever genesis to the Equator.
as their mountain ¤ North Atlan c: 15 storms and 7 hurricanes
habitats are threatened. amounted to 140% of normal ac vity.
Coral bleaching. Hurricane Ma hew was the first category 5
Coastal flooding in Guyanna. storm since 2005.
¤ Bolivia: The landlocked Andean country
Reduced rainfall Rencife’s famous experienced its worst draught in 25 years.
and snow melt affect beach at risk of
hydropower stations erosion. ¤ Europe experienced its 3rd ho est year
Reduced sea butterfly numbers, as on record, a er 2014 and 2015.
a result of acidification, threaten Changing rainfall
Pacific Ocean food webs and patterns reduce ¤ Arc c sea ice retreated in summer to the
reduce the tuna catch. resilience of second lowest ever recorded minimum.
Loss of the Andean Amazon rainforest. ¤ China experienced its warmest year since
glaciers threaten water records began in1951.
supplies in Bolivia ¤ Australia observed its 4th warmest year in
and Peru.
107 years of na onal records and Tasmania
experienced its warmest year ever.

KEY TERMS

Climate Tipping Point: occurs when
small incremental changes in
atmospheric gases result in a sudden,
Loss of sea ice impacts on krill numbers which dramatic change from our present
disrupts the Southern Ocean food web for fish, climate to a dramatically different one.
squid, penguins, seals and whales. Scientists do not know if, or when, a
tipping point may be reached but some
fear we are close.
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Climate change has consequences.