Typhoon Kalmaegi's Destruction Coincides with Global Climate Talks

In the wake of Typhoon Kalmaegi's devastation, experts are sounding the alarm on the growing threat of extreme weather events driven by climate change. The deadly storm, which swept through the Philippines earlier this week, has now caused destruction in central Vietnam, killing at least 188 people across the region.

According to researchers, the intensification of Typhoon Kalmaegi is directly linked to the exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures in the western North Pacific and South China Sea. These elevated temperatures, a result of human-caused global warming, have "packed more fuel" into the tropical cyclone, making it more powerful and wetter.

The timing of Kalmaegi's path of destruction is particularly poignant, as it coincides with a major climate conference in Brazil, where delegates from over 190 countries are gathered to discuss ways to control greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists warn that the failure to address climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of such storms.

While the data does not indicate that tropical storms are becoming more frequent overall, the likelihood of powerful storms exhibiting greater intensity, with heavier precipitation and stronger winds, is rising in a warmer climate. Researchers also caution that more regions could be at risk as storms form in new areas and follow different trajectories.

The threat posed by Typhoon Kalmaegi is further exacerbated by the accumulated impact of extreme weather events in the region. Back-to-back storms can cause more damage than the sum of individual ones, as soils are already saturated, rivers are full, and infrastructure is weakened. Coastal areas, particularly in the Philippines and along Vietnam's shallow coastal shelves, face a severe threat from storm surges and rising sea levels.