It is not rocket science: higher ocean levels = larger storm surges, warmer oceans = more energy in storms, warmer air = more moisture (and energy) in the air, warmer arctic = changes in jet stream...climate change increases storm strength and changes the patterns of where they occur.
Hurricanes and climate change
"Hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones have always bedeviled coasts, but global warming may be making matters worse. Sea level is rising and will continue to rise as oceans warm and glaciers melt. Rising sea level means higher storm surges, even from relatively minor storms, which increases coastal flooding and subsequent storm damage along coasts. In addition, the associated heavy rains can extend hundreds of miles inland, further increasing the risk of flooding."
But it's not like anyone ever predicted that...
For Years, Warnings That It Could Happen Here
"For nearly a decade, scientists have told city and state officials that New York faces certain peril: rising sea levels, more frequent flooding and extreme weather patterns. The alarm bells grew louder after Tropical Storm Irene last year, when the city shut down its subway system and water rushed into the Rockaways and Lower Manhattan."
Ok, well not anyone else...wait, what? In 2006 who said what might happen by 2050?
NASA Looks at Sea Level Rise, Hurricane Risks to New York City
"Adding as little as 1.5 feet of sea level rise by the 2050s to the surge for a category 3 hurricane on a worst-case track would cause extensive flooding in many parts of the city. Areas potentially under water include the Rockaways, Coney Island, much of southern Brooklyn and Queens, portions of Long Island City, Astoria, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, lower Manhattan, and eastern Staten Island from Great Kills Harbor north to the Verrazano Bridge. "
As I have pointed out in the past, the cost of climate change is the most significant fiscal issue we leave to future generations. At least we know someone will have enough resources to help pay for the nearly $60 billion in damage this particular climate-change-fueled storm left in its wake.
Top Oil Giants Exxon And Shell Earn $54 Billion So Far In 2012, After Taking $800 Million In Annual Tax Breaks
"These two companies, along with the rest of the Big Five, continue to receive century-old annual tax breaks. At the same time, Exxon and Shell funnel a portion of their dollars toward lobbying against environment and public health protections, while also funding climate denier candidates. This summer, Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson said that he recognized carbon pollution causes warming, but minimized the full impact saying “those consequences are manageable.” Meanwhile, extreme weather damages in the U.S. alone have potentially cost up to $144 billion since 2011."
I'll have more hopeful stories next week, but for some solace, at least one of the most life-degrading technologies concocted by man is running into economic trouble.
Big Coal in big trouble as coal production costs rise
"It has gotten the point where, in some areas, profit margins have flipped: coal is now selling for less than it costs to produce. In other areas, that flip appears to be perilously close. Never mind EPA or natural gas or Obama or anything else: If it isn’t profitable to mine coal, it won’t be mined, not for long."
In a week of tragedy, with too many dead, and way too many displaced from their homes, it may seem hollow to say it, but after watching the relief telethon tonight, and seeing the American Red Cross website (www.redcross.org) jammed, and the text system (Text REDCROSS to 90999) jammed, and the phone system (1-800-HELP-NOW) jammed, and Twitter abuzz with #SandyHelp...it made me proud to be American, and definitely reminded me that no matter what, we all deserve a...
Happy Friday!
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