Unit 4 - Climate - Extreme Weather Flashcards
What is the link between climate change and cyclonic climatic events?
Climate change is caused by global warming and is linked to cyclic climatic events like El Niño and La Niña. These events cause heavy rainfall, flooding, and extreme drought, leading to socio-economic impacts on infrastructure, agriculture, health, and energy sectors. Population vulnerability to weather and climatic hazards varies, with the most vulnerable regions being the Arctic, Sub-Saharan African countries, Asian river deltas, areas where human adaptation has exacerbated issues, and small, isolated Pacific islands.
What is adaptive capacity and what locations and sectors are most likely to be affected?
Adaptive capacity refers to the ability of governments, groups, and individuals to adjust to changes and manage the consequences of change. The most vulnerable sectors include health in areas with low adaptive capacity, agriculture due to reduced water availability, water resources due to decreased rainfall and higher evapotranspiration rates, fragile ecosystems like coral reefs and tropical rainforests, and low-lying coastal regions due to exposure to sea-level rise and extreme weather events.
What are risks are associated with low pressure systems?
In the temperate region, hazards associated with low pressure systems are similar and include severe storms, heavy rainfall or snowfall. These conditions are generated in exceptionally deep and fast-moving depressions, which are most likely to occur from late Autumn through to the Spring, although Summer storms are not unheard of. They also trigger secondary hazards.
Describe the Hurricane Dorian case study.
Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 hurricane, caused significant damage in the Bahamas, causing significant economic, agricultural, fisheries, and tourism impacts. The storm’s impact was severe, with the cost of damage reaching US$3.4 billion and insured losses at least $1 billion. At least 70 people were killed, and 13,000 homes were severely damaged or destroyed. Hospitals and public buildings were severely damaged, with operating rooms, intensive care units, and wards severely impacted. At least 2,000 people stayed in shelters, and thousands fled Abaco and Grand Bahama. Many Bahamian residents struggled with food, power, and income. Environmental impacts included massive mudslides, large-scale damage to natural habitats and ecosystems, and eroded beaches. Dorian also wiped out the Bahama nuthatch, a native bird, due to its impact on Bahamian pineyards.
What risks are associated with high pressure systems?
High pressure systems, also known as anticyclones, pose significant climatic hazards due to extended periods of low rainfall, leading to drought. Secondary hazards include falling water tables, vegetation loss, wildfires, soil erosion, and desertification. These hazards are exacerbated by climate change and human misuse of the environment. In higher latitude areas, high pressure systems can cause drought in summer and frost and fog in winter, causing similar secondary effects but with less extreme extremes. Winter can also result in temperature inversion due to air pollution intensifying fog conditions.
Describe the South Africa Drought case study.
The drought in Southern Africa from 2018-2020 was caused by high pressure, climate change, and poor environmental management. It led to large numbers of animal deaths, reduced agricultural output, and negative impacts on food security. Millions of people lack access to clean water, and conflicts over scare resources could lead to a lack of community cohesion. Migration poses protection risks for women and children. The environment was affected by severe drought, which dried up water resources in half of Kenya’s 47 counties. Soil erosion occurred due to wind-blown surface soil covering emerging vegetation, affecting grazing. Heavy rain caused surface wash, leading to deep gulleys that flood during occasional downpours. This further exacerbated soil erosion. It is crucial to understand the differences between human and environmental impacts when assessing the effects of droughts.
What strategies can be used to manage extreme weather events?
Human vulnerability to hazard risk can be mitigated through various strategies, including prediction and warning, community preparedness, land use planning, technological advances like weather satellites and GIS, GM technology for drought-resistant crops, environmental control like cloud seeding, flood defense systems, and aid and insurance. These measures aim to improve food supplies during droughts, reduce environmental impact, and enhance the resilience of communities. By implementing these strategies, we can work towards a more sustainable future and reduce the impact of hazard events on our planet.
