Climate Emergency Forum discusses the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events and their compounding effects, providing examples from Hurricane Beryl and the recent flooding in Toronto.
This video was recorded on July 17th, 2024, and published on July 21st, 2024, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.
The video discusses the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events and their compounded effect. The panelists emphasize that infrastructure issues, such as poor zoning and inadequate drainage systems, exacerbate the impact of such storms. For example, Houston’s lack of proper zoning and extensive paving over natural drainage areas led to significant flooding and devastation during Hurricane Beryl, despite it being less than a Category 1 storm when it made landfall. Additionally, the failure of the city’s energy grid during the storm resulted in tragic consequences, highlighting the need for better infrastructure and preparedness.
The discussion also underscores the connection between climate change and extreme weather events. The panelists note that every category of extreme weather is increasing, as documented in the IPCC Sixth Assessment. They stress the importance of considering the impact of climate change on future generations, who will face increasingly severe weather events. The video highlights that 2024 has had the hottest start to a year on record, surpassing the previous record set in 2023, and emphasizes the need to reduce fossil fuel emissions to mitigate climate change.
Toronto is also mentioned as an example of how extreme weather events are affecting urban areas. Recently, the city experienced three successive thunderstorms that dumped nearly four inches of rain in about four hours, turning major roads into rivers and overwhelming the city’s drainage systems. The panelists suggest that climate attribution studies will likely show that the likelihood of such storms has increased significantly due to climate change. This example underscores the broader trend of increasing extreme weather events and the urgent need for cities to adapt and prepare for these challenges.
Furthermore, the panelists criticize the media for not adequately linking extreme weather events to climate change and call for more consistent and accurate reporting on the issue. They discuss the need for new categories in the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale to account for increasingly intense storms and explain the role of sea surface temperatures and the cooling of the Tropopause in intensifying storms. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to stay informed, engage in climate activism, and support policies that address climate change, stressing the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy.
Dr. Peter Carter - MD, Expert IPCC Reviewer and the director of the Climate Emergency Institute
Paul Beckwith - Climate Systems Scientist. Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Paleoclimatology Laboratory as well as at Carleton University
Regina Valdez - Program Director, Climate Reality Project, NYC. GreenFaith Fellow and LEED Green Associate
Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader
Heidi Brault - Climate Reality Leader, BA(Psychology), Library & Information Technician Diploma - Video production and website assistant - Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP Team Lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum.
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