Introduction
Natural disasters, especially hurricanes and tropical storms, are becoming increasingly frequent. Researchers believe that the increasing frequency of these weather patterns is a result of climate change. Climate change has led to an increase in precipitation worldwide (Alexander, 2018). It makes it easier for tropical cyclones to form as they go into regions with less fallout.
It is well known that climate change is already impacting natural disasters. Several scientific studies have identified warmer temperatures and changing weather patterns as the primary causes of this phenomenon (Alexander, 2018; Kasperson et al., 2022). With the predicted impacts expected to extend far into the future, there is considerable disagreement about how severe the consequences will be for those affected by these geologic events. Several factors also contribute to these natural disasters, including the location and size of a particular area. This paper will examine the future impacts of climate change on natural disasters.
History of Climate Change and Its Impact on the Environment
Climate change poses a severe threat to global ecosystems and is already exacerbating natural disasters. Over the past few decades, people have witnessed an increase in wildfires, droughts, and severe storms, which are attributed to climate change. Human activities, such as the combustion of fossil fuels, release greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. It causes the atmosphere to trap more heat than it releases.
The average annual increase in Earth’s temperature since 1880 has been 0.8 degrees Celsius (Alexander, 2018). Over the past century, sea levels have risen approximately one inch per century, and recent studies indicate that the rate of sea level rise has accelerated since 1990 (Wijkman & Timberlake, 2021). Scientists believe that sea level rise will continue at least through 2100 and possibly longer (Kasperson et al., 2022).
Natural disasters are expected to become more frequent and intense due to climate change. Scientists have predicted that the frequency of hurricanes hitting land will increase over time (Kasperson et al., 2022). Storms will pack more strength into each hurricane as they move toward landfall. Overall, humans and animals are already feeling the impacts of climate change.
History of Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are a part of life for many people, but some have been so devastating that they have affected human history. For example, the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history, causing over 230,000 deaths (Alexander, 2018). It was also responsible for an estimated $37 billion in damages and losses (Alexander, 2018).
An earthquake on the seafloor off the coast of Sumatra caused the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The quake generated waves that moved across the ocean surface and back into deep water (Wijkman & Timberlake, 2021). The waves traveled at speeds of up to 500 miles per hour. They were strong enough to destroy coastal villages, overturn boats and cars, airports and bridges, and even cause problems with electrical power grids in several Asian countries (Wijkman & Timberlake, 2021). In addition to causing physical damage to infrastructure and loss of life, the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami significantly impacted cultural heritage sites and archaeological sites, including shipwrecks, temples/shrines, and other structures.
History of Natural Disasters in Relation to Climate Change
The history of natural disasters has been linked to climate change for over a century. The first time the world witnessed a severe natural disaster due to climate change was when the English city of London experienced a freezing winter in 1690-1691 (Wijkman & Timberlake, 2021). It marked the first time scientists recognized that the warming trend was happening rapidly. The temperature was lower than usual for this time of year, and there were more days with snow flurries than usual. It prompted many people to wonder if climate change could be causing these kinds of weather patterns.
It was not until a few years later that researchers began studying these changes more closely, examining historical records and other sources. Wijkman & Timberlake (2021) discovered that this pattern was not limited to England or even one particular part of Europe. They found it occurring all over Europe, North America, and Asia. As they continued working in this area, they eventually began focusing on how these changes might impact humans.
Causes of Climate Change and Its Impacts on Natural Disasters
It is common knowledge that the climate has played a significant role in previous catastrophic disasters. The effects of climate change are felt in terms of temperature and precipitation, as well as in altered weather patterns that can lead to extreme weather events. These events can have far-reaching consequences for global warming, causing floods, droughts, and other disasters.
However, it is essential to consider what the future may bring. The most recent data indicate a significant increase in global temperatures since the 1950s, a trend that is likely to persist into the future (Kasperson et al., 2022). Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and heatwaves, have become more common and devastating. This trend suggests that people may see more intense storms than ever, which could cause more damage due to increased strength and rising temperatures. If these storms have higher wind speeds or rainfall amounts than previous storms, they could increase damage and loss of life as they move across land areas.
Types of Natural Disasters Caused by Climate Change
Climate change may influence various kinds of natural disasters. The most significant ones include first flooding, an issue resulting from rising sea levels and changes in precipitation patterns (Kasperson et al., 2022). It is already a severe problem in coastal communities, but it will only worsen with time as sea levels rise and precipitation patterns shift. The impact on hurricanes could be significant: as sea levels rise due to higher temperatures, hurricanes will have more room to intensify, and wind speeds will increase.
Lastly, drought is defined as a period of abnormally dry weather. A lack of rain or snowfall, reduced rainfall, or extended dryness can cause a drought. Droughts can last from months to years and affect an area’s ability to produce food. As the Earth warms, this will cause an increase in evaporation and reduce precipitation rates, which leads to higher temperatures for more extended periods without rain. Droughts will become more severe and last longer periods, which can lead to crop failures and increased hunger in some regions (IPCC) (Wijkman & Timberlake, 2021). The IPCC also predicts that we could experience hotter temperatures in parts of the world with high poverty and hunger levels (IPCC).
Prediction of Future Disasters with Consideration of Climate Change
Climate change is predicted to be one of the causes of future disasters. The cause is that climate change will cause more extreme weather, which means that disasters will become more frequent and more severe. It has already been seen in recent years when hurricanes Harvey and Maria caused heavy damage in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Similarly, California wildfires have burned over 440,000 acres (180,000 hectares) (Kasperson et al., 2022).
There are many other ways that climate change can lead to more disasters. For example, ocean temperatures have risen at an average rate of 0.1 degrees Celsius per century since 1900 (Kasperson et al., 2022). It has caused coral bleaching events worldwide, which decimate reefs and coastal communities. Sea levels have risen by 1 centimeter per year since 1992 (Kasperson et al., 2022). It means coastal cities will become increasingly vulnerable to flooding as sea levels rise.
Another way that climate change can increase the number of disasters is by changing weather patterns, such as temperature or precipitation patterns. Some scientists predict that extreme rainfall events may become more common due to climate change, which could result in flooding or landslides.
Conclusion
Climate change is a hot topic amongst politicians, scientists, and environmentalists. People have speculated that climate change will cause the Earth to have warmer temperatures, thus causing natural disasters and calamities such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis. These natural disasters show climate change’s direct impact on the world today, and this list will likely only continue to grow. Scientists have already concluded that climate change is beginning to intensify and increase the frequency of these natural disasters.
References
Alexander, D. (2018). Natural disasters. Routledge.
Kasperson, J. X., Kasperson, R. E., Turner, B. L., Hsieh, W., & Schiller, A. (2022). Vulnerability to global environmental change. In The social contours of risk (pp. 245-285). Routledge.
Wijkman, A., & Timberlake, L. (2021). Natural disasters: Acts of God or acts of man? Routledge.