How does climate change influence weather extremes globally?.

Climate change significantly impacts weather extremes, leading to an increase in frequency and intensity of events such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall. This is primarily due to rising global temperatures, which affect atmospheric patterns and ocean temperatures, resulting in more severe weather conditions.

Key Facts

• The last decade was the hottest on record, with global temperatures rising by approximately 1.2°C since the late 19th century.
• According to the IPCC, extreme weather events are now occurring 1.5 times more frequently than they did in the 1980s.
• Heatwaves are becoming longer and more intense, with durations increasing by 50% since the 1950s.
• The frequency of heavy rainfall events has risen by about 30% in many regions since the 1960s.

Examples or Use Cases

• The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season set a record with 30 named storms, attributed to warmer ocean temperatures.
• Australia experienced its worst bushfire season in 2019-2020, exacerbated by prolonged drought and heat, linked to climate change.

FAQs

• What is the role of greenhouse gases in weather extremes? Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to higher temperatures and more extreme weather patterns.
• Can climate change be reversed? While its effects can be mitigated through global efforts to reduce emissions, complete reversal is unlikely in the near future.