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Storms Now 'Dangerous Disasters' Due to Climate Change
26 Feb
Summary
- Human emissions are turning previously manageable storms into dangerous disasters.
- Extreme rainfall events in Spain and Portugal are now significantly wetter.
- Climate change intensifies storms, posing a growing humanitarian crisis.
Human emissions are significantly intensifying Europe's winter storms, converting previously manageable weather events into "dangerous disasters." A new analysis indicates a "clear increase" in the intensity of extreme one-day rainfall events across southern and northern regions studied.
This heightened intensity means the wettest days are now substantially wetter compared to pre-industrial levels. While a direct 11% increase in rainfall intensity in one region is attributed to human activities, the overall trend indicates a concerning escalation. "Every additional fraction of a degree of warming is worth fighting," experts state, emphasizing the need for urgent action.
The "relentless" precipitation has caused widespread destruction to vital infrastructure, resulting in billions of Euros in damage. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and tragically, more than 50 lives have been lost. This situation is described as a "tragic reminder" that current defenses are being overwhelmed, necessitating urgent investment in local capacity and urban planning that accounts for shifting extreme weather definitions.
