Here’s what we know about hurricanes and climate change

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on MIT Tech Review or enjoy below

🗞️ Driving the news: Scientists are recognizing the connection between climate change and more extreme weather events, including hurricanes
• These intensified storms have become a global concern, especially as they cause increased damages

🔭 The context: The relationship between climate change and hurricanes is intricate
• Though historically challenging to track, recent data from the North Atlantic suggests a rise in frequency
• Globally, numbers may have declined, and the influence of climate change on storm formation remains debated

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: Hurricanes are becoming more powerful
• Studies showcase a rise in major hurricanes over the past decades, linking the strength of these storms to warming oceans

⏭️ What's next: Climate change intensifies hurricanes through factors like higher sea levels, boosting storm surges, and increased rainfall from warmer air
• There's potential for storms to stall, leading to extended heavy rainfall, as seen with Hurricane Harvey in 2017

💬 One quote: “Unfortunately, we’re getting better warnings, but we can’t get indefinitely better” (Kerry Emanuel, professor emeritus in atmospheric science at MIT)

📈 One stat: In a recent study examining satellite images from 1979 to 2017, researchers found a growing proportion of storms achieving "major hurricane" status, characterized by winds surpassing 110 miles per hour

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