Climate Change Fuels Extreme Weather, But Society's Response is Lagging

As deadly flooding in central Texas in 1987 and other recent events have shown, climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and intense, yet people and governments are often living in the past, failing to embrace the new norm of extreme weather and prepare for an even more devastating future, experts warn. Climate scientists and government data confirm that the changing climate is leading to more frequent and severe natural disasters, with no end in sight. Despite the grim trajectory, societal response has been inadequate, leaving many unprepared for the worst-case scenario.

Key Takeaways:

• The 10-year summer average of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) climate extreme index, which tracks hurricanes, heavy rain, droughts, and high and low temperatures, is 58% higher than it was in the 1980s.
• Climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer warns that society's response to climate change is inadequate, with many people and governments failing to adapt to the new norm of extreme weather.
• Marshall Shepherd, a University of Georgia meteorology professor, points out that people tend to base decisions on how they fared during past extreme weather events, leading to an overly optimistic view of their chance of avoiding disaster.
• Kim Klockow McClain, an extreme weather social scientist, stresses that people need to shift their thinking about disasters, even if they don't live in the most disaster-prone locations.
• The Trump Administration's mass layoffs and planned cuts to agencies that study climate and help warn of and deal with disasters could further worsen the situation.
• Experts warn that infrastructure is aging and more vulnerable given the fact that there are more people living in harm's way, and that the country needs to plan for the worst-case scenario instead of looking to the past.

Statistics:

• 58% increase in the 10-year summer average of NOAA's climate extreme index since the 1980s.
• Over 100 people died in the recent flash floods in Texas.
• 10-year average of NOAA's climate extreme index tracks hurricanes, heavy rain, droughts, and high and low temperatures.

Sources:

• "What happens with climate change is that what used to be extreme becomes average, typical, and what used to never occur in a human lifetime or maybe even in a thousand years becomes the new extreme." - Michael Oppenheimer, Princeton University climate scientist.
• 20-30% of the population of Houston did not evacuate during Hurricane Harvey due to a normalcy bias, according to studies.
• "We're destroying the capability we have that we're going to need more and more in the future." - Michael Oppenheimer, Princeton University climate scientist.
• "This is our future. It's obvious that we're living into a future where there are going to be more fires and floods and heat waves." - Lori Peek, director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado.