Our planet is being subjected to a large number of extreme weather events. Now in summer, with rising temperatures and decreased rainfall, drought seasons begin. Droughts are very damaging to both humans and plant and animal species. Water is synonymous with life, and increasingly frequent, intense, and prolonged droughts are destroying the balance of many ecosystems. These droughts are exacerbated by the effects of global climate change.
Increased droughts and temperatures
In recent years, record highs have been registered for various global parameters due to extreme weather events: extreme temperatures, extreme rainfall levels, extreme wind speeds, and so on. For example, this past April was the hottest in 137 years. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that April 2016 and 2017 saw the two largest positive anomalies in global ocean temperature since 1880. This is explained by the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. On June 14, 2017, an atmospheric CO2 concentration of 409,58 parts per million (ppm) was recorded , a measurement that confirms the continued increase in greenhouse gases and represents the highest peak of atmospheric CO2 detected on Earth in 800.000 years.
It must be taken for granted that the importance of greenhouse gas emissions from human activity and their impact on the climate is undeniable. Studies confirm that human-caused global warming is altering atmospheric dynamics. This leads to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Many heat waves and floods experienced in the Northern Hemisphere are caused by greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and global warming. For more information on this, you can consult the article about the recent heat wave affecting several regions.
The link between high temperatures and extreme weather is clear. Numerous studies have recorded record temperatures not seen in decades, adding further pressure to already fragile ecosystems. Furthermore, this temperature increase also impacts wildlife in a variety of ways.
Predict the future
To accurately predict the future, we need the most reliable measurements and observations possible. It's essential to understand how our planet will be affected, both directly and indirectly, by the variables that change over time. Analyzing the past is extremely useful for predicting the future. By studying past climate changes, we can generate models that help us forecast what's to come. We can know with certainty how specific meteorological variables might change due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations. This allows us to predict how these variables will affect us now and what we can do to prevent the greatest possible damage.
It is the responsibility of scientists to study the causes, consequences, and evolution of climate throughout Earth's history and into the future. Politicians, for their part, should listen to the experts and base their decisions on scientific data. But in addition to considering the evidence presented by scientists, it is important, for everyone's benefit, that what they say is correctly understood. However, the most blatant example of US policy is working against the fight against climate change with Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. To better understand the impact of ocean temperature on climate change , it is essential to consider these factors.
The study of changes in weather patterns relies on the collection of data from different periods, which helps predict future droughts and floods. In this respect, the drought situation in Spain raises serious concerns.
Efforts to stop climate change are not enough
It is lamentable to see how the effects of climate change are becoming more evident every day, with catastrophes claiming thousands of lives each year, and yet efforts to halt global warming are insufficient. Even if every country in the world were to comply with the Paris Agreement to the letter, average temperatures would still rise above the 2-degree limit established by the scientific community. The challenges posed by climate change are significant and urgent. The solutions are complex, among other things, because they require multinational agreements, immediate and long-term action, and generosity. Faced with a problem of such magnitude and global significance, the participation of everyone is required, particularly those with the greatest capabilities and who can contribute the most.
The changes we are already seeing in the environment indicate that many regions of the world are suffering acutely from the decline in water resources due to prolonged droughts. It is crucial to monitor the impact of heat waves on these vulnerable ecosystems.
