Climate Change Is Local -- But Real

There is strong evidence that climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and severity of some types of severe weather events, such as heatwaves, wildfires, and heavy precipitation events.

Yet, there are still those who believe that all weather events are simply natural variability. While this is certainly possible, the energy for our weather is supplied by the sun, but only indirectly through the heating of land masses and oceans. As you can see (above), the oceans have heated up, and the heating -- not uniform -- is primed to create atmospheric instability. In fact, many of our most severe storms are the result of the clash of warm, moist air, interacting with colder air.

Otherwise, there are those that also point to severe cold outbreaks as indication that there is not global warming. Yet, this ignores two phenomena: the poles of our planet are still very cold, but a reduction in the gradient of temperatures between mid-latitudes and the poles means that the zone of strong winds separating the air over the poles from more temperate latitudes will undulate if not break in places, This can, paradoxically, lead to more intense cold air incursions (when they happen). Since all weather, like politics, is local, people say: "what global warming," forgetting to ask their far neighbors how is their weather (usually above normal (temperatures) for that time of year. The world warms, but during winters some areas suffer from unusual cold outbreaks.

In summer, though, heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more intense due to climate change. Higher temperatures lead to more heat-related illnesses and deaths, and also exacerbate other problems such as drought and air pollution.

The drought and heat also increases the likelihood of wildfires. Wildfires are also becoming more frequent and severe in many parts of the world.

With an increase in moisture in the atmosphere, heavy precipitation events, such as floods and hurricanes, are also becoming more frequent and severe. Warmer air can hold more moisture, which can lead to heavier precipitation when it does rain. This can increase the risk of flooding. Warming oceans and plenty of moisture supply also provide the fuel to power hurricanes.

Overall, the impacts of climate change on severe weather are complex and varied, and depend on a variety of factors including regional and local conditions, and as I said: local.

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