· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Guardian or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A recent study has found that the persistent rain in the UK and Ireland last autumn and winter was made 10 times more likely and 20% wetter due to human-caused climate change
• The period was the second-wettest in nearly two centuries, causing severe floods, deaths, and extensive damage
• Without the climate crisis, such rainfall would have been a once-in-50-years event, now expected every five years
🔭 The context: The study by the World Weather Attribution group compared current weather patterns with a pre-industrial climate, highlighting how global heating intensifies rainfall
• Storms Babet, Ciarán, Henk, and Isha were particularly damaging, with additional analysis estimating £1.2bn in losses for UK farmers
• Poor and vulnerable populations are the hardest hit, facing challenges like unaffordable energy costs for dehumidifiers and high food prices
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The findings underscore the urgent need for reducing carbon emissions to prevent further climate change-induced weather extremes
• Persistent heavy rainfall not only disrupts lives and economies but also signifies broader environmental challenges such as increased flooding and loss of biodiversity
⏭️ What's next: Experts warn of even more frequent and intense wet weather if global temperatures rise to 2C, occurring every three years
• Effective adaptation and mitigation strategies are crucial to protect vulnerable populations and reduce future climate risks
💬 One quote: “The seemingly never-ending rainfall this autumn and winter across the UK and Ireland had notable impacts. In the future we can expect further increases – that’s why it is so important for us to adapt to our changing climate and become more resilient.” – Dr. Mark McCarthy, UK Met Office
📈 One stat: Weather-related home insurance claims in the UK rose by over a third, reaching a record-breaking £573m due to storms and flooding
Click for more news covering the latest on climate change
