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A common question being asked this week: did climate change cause the cold snap in the southern U.S.?
The answer?
Climate change poses serious tangible consequences...but probably not.
Here's why (short thread):
The answer?
Climate change poses serious tangible consequences...but probably not.
Here's why (short thread):
There is a common misconception that man-made climate change = an increase in ALL extreme weather events.
As surprising as it may be, as the science currently stands, one of the extreme weather events that *isn't* supposed to increase with climate change is extreme cold snaps.
As surprising as it may be, as the science currently stands, one of the extreme weather events that *isn't* supposed to increase with climate change is extreme cold snaps.
According to the U.S. EPA: "cold spells are expected to decrease..." and "higher heat index values are expected to increase."
According to the U.S. CDC, we should expect "milder winters," resulting in a "decrease in deaths and injuries related to extreme cold events."
According to the U.S. CDC, we should expect "milder winters," resulting in a "decrease in deaths and injuries related to extreme cold events."
Further information from the EPA says, "unusually cold winter temperatures have become less common—particularly very cold nights..." while "unusually hot summer days (highs) have become more common over the last few decades."
The EU's European Commission says that "mortality from
extreme heat could increase by 30 times" while also stating that climate change will "result in a decline in the intensity and frequency of extreme cold spells."
extreme heat could increase by 30 times" while also stating that climate change will "result in a decline in the intensity and frequency of extreme cold spells."
The data backs these statements up (citations are posted below).
The threat of climate change is incredibly real and we're already seeing the consequences in the 21st-century. Despite that, it's important to be honest about the impact(s), as well as the science.
The threat of climate change is incredibly real and we're already seeing the consequences in the 21st-century. Despite that, it's important to be honest about the impact(s), as well as the science.
Blaming every weather event on climate change is counterproductive. It gives fuel to "deniers," dilutes the conversation, and discourages new voices. Instead, we should focus on where we're seeing real consequences, how to prepare for them, and how to drive down emissions.
Fin.
Fin.
