Climate Change Fueling Intense Weather?
Extreme weather is a current reality, and climate change is frequently to blame. For example, the 2021 Pacific Northwest devastating heatwave was found to be at least 150 times more likely because of climate change. It’s easy to make that statement but how is it scientifically possible to determine this?
By means of an approach called “extreme event attribution,” scientists contrast the current climate, which warmed by 1.2 degrees Celsius during the industrial revolution with a simulation of a future that did not experience such warming. This approach helps in determining the degree by which global warming has increased the likelihood or severity of a particular occurrence, such as a storm or heatwave.
For instance, climate change increased the likelihood of Hurricane Harvey’s record-breaking rainfall in 2017 by three times. In a similar vein, the destructive wildfires in Australia in 2019-2020 were at least 30% more likely. With long term temperature data, heatwaves are simpler to link to climate change when compared to individual wildfires or tornadoes.
It is important to be aware of the science that help us better understand the effects of climate change.
Borrum Energy Solutions is committed to harnessing renewable energy, including their Anorra wind turbines, to combat climate change and lessen extreme weather risks. Their work in designing and developing sustainable energy is a step toward a more resilient and climate-friendly world.