Impact of Climate Change on Extreme Weather

Scientists can now determine with confidence the extent to which climate change has impacted extreme weather events.

NASA visualization of Superstorm Sandy

Image showing the intensity and path of Superstorm Sandy.

Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters in the U.S. for 2018

In 2018, the U.S. experienced 14 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, including wildfires, hail storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

Diagram showing Arctic Oscillation with Positive and Negative Phases

The diagram illustrates the Arctic Oscillation, highlighting the differences between the Positive Phase (low pressure over the Arctic, high pressure over the mid-latitudes) and the Negative Phase (high pressure over the Arctic, low pressure over the mid-latitudes).

Warming of the stratosphere in the Arctic

Destabilizes circulation, pushing cold air south and pulling warm air north.

Images showing the effects of increased acidity on marine life, with comparisons between normal acidity and projected acidity for 2100.

The images depict the impact of increased ocean acidity on marine organisms, highlighting changes expected by the year 2100.

Map showing increase in population exposed to sea level rise from 2020 to 2040.

Every region faces more severe and/or frequent compound and cascading climate risks. The map illustrates the increase in population exposed to sea level rise from 2020 to 2040, highlighting the absolute and percentage increase for each region.

Increased frequency of extreme sea level events by 2040.

The map illustrates the projected changes in the frequency of extreme sea level events that currently occur once every 100 years. The absence of a circle indicates a lack of data for assessment.

Compounding and cascading risks of climate change

Multiple climate change risks, such as extreme heat and drought, can lead to reduced soil moisture and health, food yield and quality losses, increased food prices, reduced food security, and decreased quality of life. These effects can compound and cascade, impacting household income, labor capacity, and increasing malnutrition.

Future climate change impacts

Future climate change is expected to increase the severity of impacts across natural and human systems, with regional differences.

Risk of species losses

Percentage of animal species and seagrasses exposed to potentially dangerous temperature conditions.

Species included in the study

Includes 30,652 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, marine fish, benthic marine invertebrates, krill, cephalopods, corals, and seagrasses.

Projected temperature conditions

Conditions are above the estimated historical (1850-2005) maximum mean annual temperature experienced by each species, assuming no species relocation.

Projected regional impacts reflect biophysical responses to changing temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, humidity, wind, and CO₂ enhancement of growth and water retention in currently cultivated areas.

Models assume that irrigated areas are not water-limited and do not represent pests, diseases, future agro-technological changes, and some extreme climate responses.

Projected regional impacts reflect fisheries and marine ecosystem responses to ocean physical and biogeochemical conditions such as temperature, oxygen level, and net primary production.

Projected changes in the Arctic regions have low confidence due to uncertainties associated with modeling multiple interacting drivers and ecosystem responses.

Graph showing CO₂ concentration, temperature, and sea level changes over time after emissions peak

The graph illustrates the slow response of natural systems, indicating that changes take hundreds to thousands of years to stabilize.

Impact of stabilizing emissions versus stabilizing concentrations of CO₂

Stabilizing CO₂ concentrations requires decreasing emissions to stabilize temperature.

Fossil-fuel emissions increase

Fossil-fuel emissions increased from 6.3 to 8.9 Gt/yr from 2000 to 2017.

Stabilizing emissions means CO₂ concentration and temperature both continue to increase.

Graph showing global electricity generation by source from 1990 to 2050

Illustrates the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources over time

Key requirements for energy transition

Rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, deployment of large-capacity renewable sources, increased energy efficiency, development of long-duration energy storage, and new energy technologies

Capacity factor is the percent of time that the source actively produces power.

Nuclear 92.5%, Geothermal 74.3%, Natural Gas 56.6%, Hydropower 41.5%, Coal 40.2%, Wind 35.4%, Solar 24.9%

Efforts to preserve natural resources and protect ecosystems to maintain environmental balance.

An urban design movement promoting walkable neighborhoods with a range of housing and job types.

Improving public transportation systems to reduce reliance on personal vehicles and lower emissions.

Corporate tax on carbon emissions

A financial charge imposed on companies based on the amount of carbon dioxide they emit.

Economies based on less consumption

Economic systems that prioritize sustainability and reduced resource use over high consumption.

Voting for climate-aware candidates

Supporting political candidates who prioritize environmental policies and climate change action.

Sustainable urban development

Illustration of sustainable urban development, showcasing eco-friendly architecture and planning.

Active carbon capture from the atmosphere

Sequestration underground (CCS)

Technological ideas to actively change the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth’s surface

Image of a carbon capture facility with mountains in the background

Illustration of a technological solution for carbon capture and sequestration

Toward a more sustainable planet: Socioeconomic Fixes

Reducing the wealth gap is a key socioeconomic fix for sustainability.

Image showing disparity between wealth and poverty.

The richest 1% of the global population accounts for more than double the emissions of the poorest 50%.

Toward a more sustainable planet: Political Solutions

The Inflation Reduction Act involves a $370 billion investment to reduce US emissions of greenhouse gases by 40% from 2005 levels by 2030. It includes tax credits for electric vehicles, a network of charging stations, and investments in sustainable batteries and solar energy technology.

Toward a more sustainable planet

Sustainability and international collaboration are essential for addressing global challenges.

International collaboration: on climate, fair trade, technology, population growth, income disparity

These are key areas where international cooperation is necessary.

Working collectively toward reducing our ecological footprint on the planet

Collective action is crucial for environmental sustainability.

Toward a more sustainable planet: Climate Activism

The American Climate Corps is a workforce initiative to train young people for careers in clean energy and climate resilience.

Week 7-8 Pt 3 GEL 001 Flashcards

Student preview

59 questions

Show all answers

1.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

Example Effect of Sea Level Rise

Back

Effect of a sea level rise of 40 cm (400 mm) on San Francisco Bay

2.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

Predicted Changes in Sea Level

Back

Illustration of potential impact on Florida with a 1-meter rise in sea level, affecting cities such as New Orleans and Miami.

3.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

Changes in Global Precipitation

Back

Anticipated precipitation changes with spatial variability.

4.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

Annual Anthropogenic CO₂ Emissions

Back

Shows historical and projected CO₂ emissions with various RCP scenarios.

5.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

Predicted Changes in Precipitation

Back

- High emission scenario - Spatially and temporally variable change: Western US vs. Alaska

6.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

Changes in Storm Intensity

Back

Warmer surface water energizes hurricanes, leading to faster winds and more flooding.

7.

FLASHCARD QUESTION

Front

2012 Hurricane Sandy Surge

Back

The surge was over 8 feet in New Jersey.

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