Natural Disasters
https://blog.augurisk.com/un-climate-related-disasters-have-doubled-in-the-21st-century/
Alert and Ongoing Natural Disaster Interactive Global Map
https://reliefweb.int/disasters
Internal Displacement Monitoring Center
https://www.internal-displacement.org/features/idmc-severity-assessments-2023/
Wildfires
Wildfires are a natural, healthy part of an ecosystem, however with human interference they have become something to be afraid of. Wildfires can occur anywhere in the world and on any type of ecosystem. Here in Colorado, wildfires are most known for burning our mountain forests. These forests have been naturally occurring long before humans existed. Fire provides many benefits to a forest ecosystem such as clearing out dead brush and debris. Humans figured out how to stop these naturally occurring fires, so for many years this dead brush and debris built up in forests creating the perfect kindling for the large-scale wildfires that we often see today.
Wildfires: Climate Change and Human Impact
With the increased heat due to climate change wildfire seasons have worsened because there are prolonged periods of heat and sometimes drought leaving forests very susceptible to fire ignition and spread. There hasn’t been a significant increase in the number of fires that occur, however, these fires have been spreading much more than before. Since 2000, the US has burned an average of 7 million acres per year whereas the average in the 1990s was 3.3 million acres per year. Climate change is projected to increase the differences between land and sea temperatures. This temperature difference will increase wind speeds. With more wind, wildfires will be able to spread quicker. This is not only devastating to our ecosystems, but it is also costly. The US has spent $1.9 billion per year fighting wildfires since 2016. While that is a small portion of US spending each year, it still makes an impact and lots of damage due to wildfires is still being seen.
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The wildland-urban interface is where houses and buildings border natural space. This is a particularly vulnerable area when it comes to wildfires because if the fire spreads to people’s houses people may die or be displaced. More than 60,000 communities in the US are located along this wildland urban interface and those numbers are ever increasing. Proximity to wildfire events can have many impacts on populations. Not only are there the physical impacts of burns, injuries, and in some cases death due to being exposed to wildfire, but residents in areas exposed to wildfires have been found to have worse mental health. People in these communities are at greater risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and insomnia. Children and teens exposed to wildfire events have been found to perform worse in school and are more likely to have mental illnesses in their adulthood. Additionally, exposure to wildfire smoke can increase the likelihood of non accidental deaths and decreased respiratory function in the short-term. In the long-term, people may experience decreased lung capacity as compared to people not exposed to wildfire smoke. As wildfires increase in severity due to climate change, more people will be exposed to these adverse social and health effects.
Case Studies
In December of 2021 the towns of Louisville and Superior, Colorado experienced the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. The Marshall fires were ignited after high winds reignited a human made fire and damaged power lines sent sparks onto dry grass. These two ignitions resulted in the blaze that destroyed over 1,000 homes, 7 businesses, and killed one person. While both of these ignitions were human caused, the severity of the fire was likely a result of climate change. Usually, by December 30th Colorado has experienced at least one snowfall. But, in 2021 there hadn’t been any snowfall and Colorado was experiencing higher than normal temperatures. That, in addition to the high winds, resulted in the devastating fire that resulted.
Droughts
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When an area experiences below average precipitation they can enter a period of drought for weeks, months, or years. This water shortage dries up soil, reduces groundwater replenishment, reduces stream flow, and can damage crops. It is difficult to identify when a drought begins or ends because it is more subtle than other natural disasters. Droughts are created by trends in weather rather than a specific weather event.
Climate Change
Not only does climate change reduce the frequency of precipitation in some locations, it also can change the type of precipitation. For climates that experience a large variation in the seasons, they have adapted to having water from snowmelt in the summer when there is less precipitation. But, climate change is reducing the quantity of snowfall and sometimes it will rain instead of snow in the winter. This reduces the amount of water that is stored in snowpack later to be used as fresh water. People in these regions may no longer be able to rely on snowmelt, which will fundamentally change how they live.
Human Impact
Droughts can cause dehydration and malnutrition within a population. Not only is there less water for drinking, but there also isn’t enough precipitation to water crops. This is extremely damaging to a population and can lead to breakdown in local health services, disease outbreak, and an increase in psycho-social stress. Droughts are also very unpredictable, it’s difficult to know how long a drought will last. This can make it difficult to plan for and ration supplies. Droughts can lead to other disasters such as wildfires and dust storms. Droughts are a threat to human wellbeing and they are something to be weary of as they are predicted to increase in frequency and severity.
Case Studies
In 2008 the Catalonia region of Spain experienced severe drought. They were projected to run out of water in October of that year. Reservoir levels were reaching such low levels that the water was no longer safe for drinking. The Spanish government responded by shipping water from other areas of Spain and from France. They also drafted an emergency pipeline plan that would divert water from the south of Spain to Catalonia. This pipeline would disrupt agriculture and be devastating for many of the people in south Spain. Thankfully, Catalonia received some much-needed rain before they broke ground on the pipeline. This rain restored their reservoirs to above crisis levels, but still below normal. Since then, a desalination plant has opened near Barcelona which has helped generate a more stable supply of drinking water to the region.
Floods
Floods are a natural part of the hydrologic cycle and occur all across the world. They can begin from rivers and streams overflowing or from coastal storm surges pushing water inland. Floods are classified as 10-year floods, 50-year floods, and 100-year floods. Another type of flood that comes on quickly and destroys everything in its path is known as a flash flood. Desert regions have dry river beds that flood easily without the protection of riparian zones to slow the flow of water. In Saudi Arabia, cities like Jeddah are built in these river beds and experience frequent and dangerous floods after heavy rainfall. There are also hazardous conditions to navigate after flood water retreat.
Floods and Climate Change
Humans continue to produce greenhouse gas emissions through unsustainable agricultural practices and clearing land for urban development leading to a rise in global temperatures. These hotter temperatures increase the occurrence of floods in both size and frequency. Here are the steps that lead to increased flooding:
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Higher temperatures lead to more energy circulating through earth’s systems
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Ice caps and snowpack begin to melt and increase water levels in oceans and other surface waters
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Elevated water levels mix with warmer air
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Warmer air holds more water which evaporates into the clouds and increases rainfall
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This produces more frequent and severe flooding when it rains
Floods and Human Impact
While countries like the United States and China are among the leading contributors of greenhouse gas emissions, it’s developing countries that feel the harshest effects of global warming and natural disasters like floods. Globally, the most vulnerable populations are at a higher risk of experiencing life threatening floods. As climate change causes floods to happen more often, these communities have less time and resources to recover. The consequences from flooding can be long-term and increase the serious effects of poverty.
Case Study
Flooding in Bangladesh, India is triggered by an increase in rainfall which we can attribute to our warming climate. Saiful Islam, Director of the Institute of Water and Flood Management at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology found that “rains were getting more unpredictable and many rivers are rising above dangerous levels more frequently than before” (Mahmud, 2022). One of India’s largest rivers, the Brahmaputra, travels from northeast India through the wetlands of Bangladesh on its way to the Bay of Bengal. Because floods have been so frequent, any water that overflows the riverbanks doesn’t drain properly due to the ground already being oversaturated. Flooding causes a cascade of other problems like increased sedimentation from sand and stones upstream. This clogs the river and increases the likelihood of future flooding. Construction of infrastructure like roads also clog the flow of water leading to flooding. Without the protection of dams, the residential areas of Bangladesh flood quickly when it starts to rain. Businesses and schools are unable to operate and transportation by any means is near impossible. These communities become stranded and face food shortages and other health issues that increase loss of life and impact the region's ability to recover.
Earthquakes and Tsunamis
Earthquakes are the sudden shaking of the ground caused by seismic waves through Earth’s rocks (lithosphere). Seismic waves occur when stored energy is released from the underground rock breaking. This creates a rapid motion along a fault. Around 80% of earthquakes occur around the edges of the Pacific Ocean, and this is commonly referred to as the ‘ring of fire’(Tanaka, 2023). Tsunamis are frequently associated with earthquakes, because they are the most common cause of the disaster. Tsunamis produce violent seafloor movement, and they are giant waves under the sea. In the deep ocean, waves caused by tsunamis are not large until they hit the shore. As these waves travel inland, they build up to higher lengths.
Impacts on Climate Change
Climate change impacts tsunamis and earthquakes to be even more hazardous and frequent. As the climate continues to shift, some locations may experience extreme weather patterns such as extreme rainfall. Extreme rainfall can make slopes more susceptible to landsliding during an earthquake. Due to climate change, low lying coastal areas may be undergoing sea-level rise with the warmer greenhouse gas atmosphere. Tsunamis can cause more extensive flooding in coastal areas due to the rise in sea levels resulting from greenhouse gas emissions.
Case Study
An unfortunate earthquake and tsunami disaster occurred in 2011, called the Great East Japan Earthquake in the Tohoku Region. Japan experiences the most tsunami disasters in the world, and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake caused the largest number of casualties ever to be recorded in the history of Japanese Postwar natural disasters (Tanaka, 2023). This earthquake also recorded the largest number of casualties in the developed world as a whole (Tanaka, 2023). This earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that devastated coastal areas, and a total of 310,000 houses were damaged in the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. This disaster led to a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant which ended up causing even more damage. This disaster impacted Japan’s economy, infrastructure, and society.
Tornadoes and Hurricanes
Tornadoes are strong wind storms produced by unstable atmospheric conditions and powerful storms. They are produced from rotating winds called wind shear (NOAA 2019). Tornadoes are rated on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which ranges from EF1 to EF5 and is based on wind speeds as well as damage. In previous decades, tornadoes were just ranked based on wind speeds (the Fujita Scale), but scientists found the ranking was inaccurate in relation to the severity of the event.
Hurricanes are types of tropical storms that typically start as small disturbances that gain strength and size over the ocean, and can cause mass destruction once they hit land. The process of how a hurricane forms is as follows:
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Hurricanes take energy from the warm ocean water, and will continue to grow as long as it has warm water to extract energy from.
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Because of low pressure in the center of a hurricane, the wind flows towards the center of the storm and causes air to be forced up. This in turn allows for the winds high in the atmosphere to “flow away from the storm, which allows more air from below to rise” (“UCAR: How Hurricanes Form”, n.d.).
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The air that goes upward has to be warm and humid for the clouds in the storm to form and “warm, moist air is found above warm, tropical ocean waters” which makes places like the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and eastern Pacific Ocean perfect places for hurricanes to form (“UCAR: How Hurricanes Form”, n.d.).
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A hurricane will also need the winds outside of the storm to not interfere with the storm enough to disrupt it, but light enough to direct it (“UCAR: How Hurricanes Form”, n.d.).
Climate Impact: Tornadoes
Tornadoes have always been a concern for communities, especially in the midwestern states; however, due to a rising global temperature and atmospheric conditions becoming increasingly unpredictable and unstable, the risk of tornadoes has increased. For example, in recent decades, there has been an increase in winter tornadoes, which are dangerous for many communities as they are unexpected and unpredictable. Most tornadoes happen during peak tornado season from April to June. The climate is changing due to anthropogenic effects as the atmosphere continues to become more unstable and humidity increases due to global warming; the conditions for tornadoes to produce have increased as well (NOAA 2019).
Hurricanes Impact on Climate
Climate change is having a huge impact on the strength of hurricanes. Humans are trapping “enormous amounts of extra heat on the planet, and most of that- over 90 percent- has been absorbed into the ocean” (Borunda, 2023). Because hurricanes get their energy from warm water, the warming of the oceans is allowing these tropical storms to have more fuel than ever before.
In Florida, ocean temperatures “broke 100 F this summer” which was detrimental to coral reefs, marine life, and allowed the region to be prime territory for disastrous tropical storms (Borunda, 2023). Hurricanes are ranked on the Saffir-Simpson Scale which measures the wind speed of each storm; if a hurricane is in category 1, the wind speeds reached levels between 74-95 mph, and if the storm is in category 5 (the highest possible), the wind speeds would have been equal to or greater than 157 mph. These categories are useful when measuring the possible destruction a storm will cause, and since the 1970s, twice as many storms have been spinning into Category 4 and 5 (Borunda, 2023). Along with this, 2023 was the fourth most active hurricane season on record with 20 storms and seven were Category 3 or higher; researchers at Colorado State University also identified that this past hurricane season was “marked by a larger-than-average number of storms occurring early in the season” and the latest formation (occuring on October 20th) on record (“2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season”, 2023).
Along with the warming of the oceans because of heat sequestration, climate change is impacting hurricanes because of sea levels rising, making storm surges and coastal flooding more severe, and warmer air is able to “hold more water, meaning there will be more rain from storms as climate change pushes global temperature higher” (Crownhart, 2023). All of these factors in conjunction with another create perfect conditions for extremely dangerous hurricanes.
Impact on Humans - Tornadoes
With climate change producing stronger and more unpredictable storms, more communities are being impacted. Strong tornadoes, especially EF4/EF5, can destroy whole communities. Tornadoes on this scale destroy buildings, knock down trees, and even rip up the land they cross. As tornadoes become more unpredictable and occur at uncommon times, communities are put in more danger, as powerful storms can happen when they do not expect them.
Impact on Humans- Hurricanes
The significance of climate change making hurricanes worse lies in human impact and livelihood. With less predictable storms, populations that live in areas affected by hurricanes are at higher risks of being impacted. For example, in 2022, the U.S. was affected by three hurricanes which “each caused over $1 billion in damages” (Crownhart, 2023). This financial impact causes insurance rates to go up for coastal communities, and can lead to more financial stress on those who cannot afford it.
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This isn’t the only impact however; hurricanes generate debris that is projected wherever and can “increase the potential for hazardous chemicals and waterborne and vector-borne pathogens to spread” throughout communities and the surrounding environmental due to “facility damage, storm surge, and flooding” (“NIH: Climate Change on Human Health”, n.d.). Then it must be considered, when the hurricane is over, and the flood has ravaged through the community, the health risks include “contaminated standing water, heightened risk of growth and spread of bacteria and mold” and toxic substances from wet building materials being releases with combined lead exposure (“NCHH: Hurricanes”, 2022). What’s left in the wake of a hurricane as far as destruction can lead to disease, respiratory illnesses, increases in asthma attacks, lead poisoning, and carbon monoxide poisoning (“NCHH: Hurricanes”, 2022).
Case Study - Tornadoes
Severe storm seasonality is becoming more unpredictable as global temperatures increase and atmospheric conditions change. Cold-season tornadoes, or tornadoes that form during winter months, are uncommon, but in the past decade, there has been an increase in winter-season tornadoes. From November 2016 through February 2017, there were “four major” tornadic events that were unpredictable due to the timing, therefore causing more casualties and injuries than tornadoes during the predicted severe weather season. Since this case study, there has been multiple winter tornado outbreaks that are seemingly increasing and becoming more severe due to the changing climate.
Case Study - Hurricanes
The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season stands as the year with the most named hurricanes since 2005. One of the most notable storms was Hurricane Maria which hit Puerto Rico in September and was a category 5, hitting a peak of winds of 172 mph. Cities like Dominica experienced torrential rains from Maria that totaled to 22.8 inches (Pasch et al., 2017). The storm surge and tide “produced maximum inundation levels of 6 to 9 ft above ground level” which means that cars would’ve been completely submerged in water, and most people would have to reach higher ground, like roofs of houses to escape the tide (Pasch et al., 2017).
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The government of Puerto Rico estimated that 2,975 people died as a result of Hurricane Maria, most vegetation was downed, and the damages for Puerto Rico and the U.S. The Virgin Islands is estimated by the NOAA to be $90 billion (Pasch et al., 2017). The agricultural economic sector fell apart due to the loss of crops, thousands of homes were destroyed and some citizens in Puerto Rico were still without power by the end of 2017, 3 months after the storm hit (Pasch et al., 2017).
Hurricanes don’t just impact human life, but the livelihood and the natural world around us. Not only can hurricanes be deadly, but have been known to cause extreme economical damage due to infrastructure loss, crop yields being decimated, and spending to rebuild in the aftermath. Because of climate change, hurricanes becoming stronger is going to cost governments more money in rebuilding costs, cause homeowners to spend more in insurance, vulnerable communities are extremely impacted, habitat loss, and will cause the agricultural systems stress.
Heat Waves
​Heat waves occur when extreme temperatures persist for days on end. While heat is not perceived as a huge issue, it is very deadly and can cause a lot of harm. Heat waves are often associated with cities, because the abundance of concrete, asphalt, and metal create an urban heat island effect. The heat island effect worsens the impact of heat waves. Cities also contain a larger concentration of people meaning that more people are impacted at once by the heat wave. Rural areas still experience severe impacts from heat waves, especially if crop production is impacted.
Heat Waves and Climate Change
​Heat waves have been increasing in frequency, severity, and length due to climate change. According to the World Health Organization, “Between 2000 and 2016, the number of people exposed to heatwaves increased by around 125 million.” As global temperatures rise, so will the occurrence of heatwaves and more people around the world will be exposed to the adverse effects. In July 2023 there were heat waves all over the world. Yale Climate Connections says that, “Over 6.5 billion people — 81% of the global population — experienced at least one hot day in July 2023 that was at least three times more likely because of climate change.” Many scientists have been able to confidently attribute the increase in heat waves to climate change. There is a strong connection between the two and they are only predicted to get worse.
Heat Waves Impact on Humans
​Extreme heat is very deadly especially for elderly people and other medically vulnerable populations. Heat waves increase the risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke. In the 2003 heat wave in Europe 70,000 people died. Many factors contribute to health risks of heat waves including community connection. Premature deaths due to extreme heat in the US are projected to increase by over ten thousand people per year by midcentury. Heat does not normally generate the same fear reaction as some other natural disasters, but their persistence and increased severity will cause many deaths and should be a subject of concern for human health.
Case Study
​In 2003 Europe experienced an anticyclone, resulting in no precipitation and high temperatures. This heat wave was unexpected and the population was unprepared. In France, temperatures remained around 99 degrees Fahrenheit for a week straight in August. As a result of this catastrophe, 70,000 people died making the heat wave one of the deadliest events in Europe in decades. Elderly populations were hit the hardest. Not only did people suffer, but so did nature. Snow and ice at higher elevations melted more than in a normal year, wildfires ravaged forests, rockslides occurred. This was a devastating event, and more events like this are predicted to happen due to climate change.
Rising Sea Level
Rising Sea Level and Climate Change
Climate change is altering our atmosphere and oceans causing a harmful shift to the harmony of life on earth. Although the melting of glaciers is contributing to sea level rise, there is another effect of climate change that has a more significant impact on sea levels. Thermal expansion causes sea water to become less dense, expanding it and raising sea levels (Hausfather, 2019).
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As sea levels rise, saltwater contaminates freshwater inland aquifers and water bodies that are crucial for agricultural activities and household uses (Lindsey, 2022). As saltwater seeps into the ground, soil health becomes degraded and impacts the ability for plants and crops to grow (Lindsey, 2022). When sea levels encroach on land that is dedicated to human activities, industrial waste materials like pesticides, fertilizers, and plastics have a greater chance of being swept back out to sea, polluting coastal and marine ecosystems (2024). - Carbon Brief, Climate.gov, and National Geographic
Sea Level Rise Impact on Humans
Sea Level Rise and Human Impact
Scientists have a good understanding that sea levels are rising because of humans' extreme use of fossil fuels whose emissions warm our planet. Experts can estimate the amount of carbon that will be released and the effects it will have on our climate as we move into the future. However, there is less certainty surrounding the rate of acceleration of sea level rise. The countries and companies that produce the highest levels of greenhouse gas emissions provide an unpredictable factor in estimating the speed at which sea levels will rise. - NRDC
Sea level rise can flood coastal communities but it can also cause loss of land by eroding coasts and damaging important infrastructure. Coastal erosion impacts terrestrial, economic, and cultural activities leaving communities with limited resources to rebuild. When sea levels rise and destroy communities, sometimes the water doesn’t retreat or the damage is so significant that populations are forced to relocate. This climate migration can create potential refugee crises. These refugees aren’t advocated for under current international laws but countries are working to change policies to encompass climate migration as a legitimate legal status. -NRDC
Case Study
Case Study
Sea level rise isn’t felt more than by the geographical regions in the Pacific. Tuvalu is home to 11,000 inhabitants and consists of three islands and six low-lying atolls. Communities in this region stand to lose more than just land as carbon emissions from heavily industrialized countries like the United States continue to increase temperatures and water levels. Statehood and sovereignty are the main issues being threatened by the impending plunge. Action plans in place are aiming to digitize government services so citizens can continue to stay connected and receive assistance. One major concern is the preservation of Pacific Islander’s heritage. It is important to establish detailed records of these cultures so they can continue to be cherished as the Pacific ocean rapidly consumes the land. -Yale Climate Connections
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For the island of Tuvalu, saltwater is contaminating the local freshwater supplies and eroding the coast. The cost of rebuilding infrastructure and the construction of preventative climate change adaptations are dwindling the nation's budget. As competition for marine resources increases, local conflict causes deterioration of societal relationships and increases violence towards women and children. Tuvalu’s ability to participate in economic contracts is also threatened as they depend heavily on exports for stability and resource management. As these islands become inhabitable, forced climate migration is a critical result to plan for. -UNDP
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Although climate action plans are being implemented at the local level in Pacific Island nations, more support is required from the Global North to protect this most vulnerable region from sea level rise and other climate related disasters. Current initiatives only assist with adaptations and not prevention of the actions causing climate change. A collective collaboration is necessary to save Tuvalu and other island nations most impacted by sea level rise. -UNDP and NRDC