Inquiry Based

Md Rashid

Professor Sara Jacobson

English 110

29 October 2019

                                                                      Impact of Climate Change on Natural Disasters.

How does climate change influence natural disasters and what effects it has on our environment? Natural disasters are caused by climate change, a sudden rise in the temperature, an increase in sea level and affected air condition. These natural disasters harmed a lot of people and the ecosystem. People lost homes due to flood tsunami fire etc. Therefore natural disasters which are caused by global warming is destroying everything near us. We need to take action now before we lose everything to these disasters. Studies have shown since 2017 United States has faced over 16 disasters which cost over 1 billion dollars. Another deadly natural disaster that America faced was the California wildfire. Hundreds and thousands of people lost their homes and jobs. Articles state roughly 50 people were killed by the fire       

   ‘‘Global warming means less soil moisture on average, which means that stuff burns more easily.’’(Amina Khan, Los Angeles Times) These wildfires are caused by global warming. Global warming means more drylands, dry trees, and dry forests. These are a fire hazard. The increase in global warming simply means more wildfires. “As sea levels continue to rise due to global warming, they’re increasing the risk of storm surge — the dangerously high floods caused by a storm pushing water onshore. Those floodwaters are responsible for much of the damage left by hurricanes — particularly in highly populated coastal cities.”(Khan) Flood is another huge danger posed by climate change. As the article states the main cause of these natural disasters is Global warming. People have lost their houses and the flood makes the place uninhabitable for people to live. Floods are caused by increase rise in the ocean temperature, climate change is to blame. The change in the climate increases ocean temperature which is fuel to the most hurricane. “As sea levels continue to rise due to global warming, they’re increasing the risk of storm surge — the dangerously high floods caused by a storm pushing water onshore. Those floodwaters are responsible for much of the damage left by hurricanes — particularly in highly populated coastal cities.” (Khan). Hurricane isn’t the only issue. Most hurricanes leave flood behind, which causes more destruction to people’s homes and the environment. 

 

     Another disaster that was influenced by climate change is the hurricane, Harvey. Hurricane Harvey was category 4 which brought mass  destruction. Hurricane Harvey affected Taxes, Louisiana and many more. Hurricane Harvey lasted for over 40hours and brought about 125 dollars in damage. The sudden change in climate change causes the water surface to become warmer which forms hurricanes. Hurricanes are life-threatening, causes people to lose their houses, lives and other property. “The storm affected 13 million people from Texas through Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. By October 13, 2017, at least 88 people died from the storm” (Kimberly Amadeo). This shows how much one disaster can bring Studies have shown at this rate we are expecting more dangerous hurricanes, which will bring more destruction to our environment and property. “HiFLOR model shows a global increase in storm frequency of 9% and a 23% increase in the Atlantic basin by the end of the 21st century.”(Kimberly). An increase from 9% to 23% is a huge change. We are expecting more hurricane in the 21st century which means more lives are at risk and much more property damage to come. Climate is changing rapidly causing more hurricanes. We have to take action and start protecting people who live near coastal areas. “It will cost tens of billions of dollars to protect millions of people living on the coasts of Asia Pacific region, including PNG, against climate change-induced disasters that can cause havoc and destroy decades of development,”.(Jeff Berardelli). It is true saving all the people and their properties will cost us a lot of money however, it will save us from the mass destruction. In the long run its worth spending now so we don’t pay more and lose more lives.

 

     Frequent studies have shown natural disasters are highly influenced by climate change. “The first step is for researchers and risk managers to recognize that climate change impacts do not occur in isolation, but are strongly coupled. For instance, droughts and heatwaves often occur together. Droughts lead to dry soils, which prevent solar energy from being released as evaporation, causing surface warming”(AghaKouchak). This illustrates what affects climate change has in the environment causing dangerous disasters. “While hurricanes are a natural part of our climate system, recent research suggests that there has been an increase in intense hurricane activity in the North Atlantic since the 1970s. In the future, there may not necessarily be more hurricanes, but there will likely be more intense hurricanes that carry higher wind speeds and more precipitation as a result of global warming.” hurricanes are becoming more harmful by the year so is climate change. The weather is getting warmer, ocean temperature increasing. Scientists have proved that the earth got warmer over the years due to global warming. For this reason, we will be expecting more deadly diseases. Researchers stated warmer parts like Texas are where a hurricane might occur will bring the deadly outcome to the people and the state of Texas. Dry places like Texas may also face drought which will slowly make the state inhabitable, It will be impossible to grow crops. Less rainfall, low running water will make everyone hibernate out of the state. 

 

    On the other hand, several people do not believe in climate change. They do not believe climate change has any effect on the weather. People think its a myth that there is no correlation between climate change making the weather warmer cause deadly hurricanes. These are the people who do not take the issue seriously and end up facing the consequences. “Because of climate change, such a storm evolved from a once in every 100 years event to a once in every 16 years event over this time period.” there are other factors that cause natural disasters, however, climate change has the most influence in making our environment warmer.

 

     Natural disasters that are caused by climate change are not only affecting the environment but also affecting our economy. “Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today at an Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee hearing on disaster mitigation and recovery called climate change “the elephant in the room” and pressed witnesses on whether federal, state, and local governments are prepared to deal with the increasing number and severity of natural disasters, particularly in geographic areas where such disasters are unexpected”. She feels that she must warn people of America how the government is approaching the issue. Congresswoman Norton claims we will be facing disasters in unexpected places so everyone needs to prepare themselves. After her interview insurance companies took their rates off the roof making it unaffordable. this is another issue because now people are expecting more disasters and their homes will not be insured due to the high rates. Norton also states in her interview that climate change is a real issue and weather patterns are changing more rapidly.  

    Some impacts of climate change on natural disasters are the usage of more greenhouses. The gas released into the air from greenhouses makes the outer layer of the earth hotter causing more heatwaves. Heatwaves not only cause droughts but also pollutes the air making it dangerous to breathe. These effects may also cause storms and hurricanes with more wind force destroying everything along its way. Global warming may cause heavy rainfall this is also dangerous because the increase in the sea leave will cause massive floods.  

    As it shows by each year more and more disasters took place. It doubled as the year progressed and we are expecting the same trend for the following year. Each disaster brings more damage. Humans have a great impact on climate change but it is climate change that is causing these disasters to take place deadlier than ever. The diagram also shows humans moving out seeking for shelter and protection. At this rate, the government will fail to shelter everyone. 

                                                                                          Work cited 

• AghaKouchak, Amir, Laurie S Huning, “How Do Natural Hazards Cascade to Cause Disasters?” Nature.
• “Protection from Natural Disaster Caused by Climate Change Costly.” PAC – Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association 2008: PAC – Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association, Sept 23, 2008. Web.

 

• How climate change is making hurricanes more dangerous ” Yale Climate Connection

 

• Hurricanes and Climate Change.” Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsusa.org/resources/hurricanes-and-climate-change.
• YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rWNwPAYLzQ.
• “NORTON CITES CLIMATE CHANGE AS CAUSE OF INCREASING FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY OF NATURAL DISASTERS AT COMMITTEE HEARING.” States News Service 2017: States News Service, April 27, 2017. Web.
• “The Rising Cost of Natural Hazards.” NASA, NASA, earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/RisingCost/rising_cost5.php