Climate change: storms are increasing – where is the protection for our coasts?

Climate change: storms are increasing – where is the protection for our coasts?

A recent study taken from a drill core from the Great Blue Hole off Belize shows alarming results about the increase in storm events in recent decades. Research teams from several universities, including Frankfurt, Cologne, Göttingen, Hamburg and Bern, have analyzed the climate history of the Caribbean over the last 5,700 years. Their results were published in the renowned journal “Science Advances” and show that the frequency of tropical storms has been significantly higher in recent decades than in previous millennia. The University of Cologne reports a total of 574 documented storm locations in the Great Blue Hole, which represents the longest annual-resolved time series of tropical storms in this region.

Analysis of the core reveals three significant phases of sedimentation. 12,500 years ago a lake was formed that was characterized by organic remains. 7,200 years ago, sea levels rose, turning the region into brackish water and mangrove swamps. Finally, 5,700 years ago, a complete flood occurred, during which marine sediments were deposited. These historical data are supported by the finding that changes in solar radiation are considered a possible explanation for short-term fluctuations in storm frequency. Nevertheless, the increased storm events of the last few decades cannot be explained by long-term trends and are probably directly related to man-made climate change.

The influence of climate change on storms

Climate change not only results in an increased frequency of storms, but also influences the behavior of hurricanes. Heise points out that rising temperatures lead to stronger and less predictable hurricanes. One example is the increase in hurricanes, which have increased in strength on average over the past 40 years. In particular, storms reaching major hurricane status have skyrocketed in size due to the energy density of warmer water.

The complexity of the connection between climate change and hurricanes is also reflected in the disagreement among scientists about changes in cyclogenesis and their influence. Historical records of tropical cyclones are limited, and current climate models also show varying projections of the future number of storms. Still, it is widely accepted that the likelihood of stronger hurricanes increases as global temperatures rise.

The role of extreme weather events

The impacts of climate change go beyond the frequency of hurricanes. According to a report by the WWF The increase in the global average temperature is not only a cause, but also a catalyst for more frequent extreme weather events such as heavy rain or heat waves. Flood disasters and other climate-related challenges are expected to increase in many regions, including the coasts of North America and Europe. For example, the flood disaster in Germany in July 2021, which left over 180 dead, underscored the urgency of taking action against the climate crisis.

These developments highlight the need to increase the focus on climate protection. According to the findings of these reports, humans are the main cause of climate change. There is an urgent need for action to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius and to quickly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is the only way to successfully overcome the challenges of climatic changes that manifest themselves in extreme weather events.