Extreme weather is happening more frequently and with more severity around the world. Whether that is forest fires, record breaking temperatures,droughts, intense storms or flooding, you have likely experienced extreme weather personally or know someone who has been affected by it.
But why is the weather more intense in recent years?
Maybe we don’t have to look any further than climate change.
The World Weather Attribution network (WWA) suggests that climate change has increased our risk of extreme weather. Some examples include:
- In April, Spain, Portugal and Northern Africa experienced a record breaking heat wave that was made more likely due to climate change. In fact at least 100x more likely.
- Wildfires are raging across many parts of Canada, while areas of Australia and Chile experienced wildfires earlier this year. Climate change is setting up conditions that spark wildfires.
It’s not too late to have an impact. Engage people in your community to take actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Perhaps it starts a ban on gas powered leaf blowers.