Latest news with #JonathanOverpeck
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hurricane-ravaged city reaches crucial milestone on road to recovery — here's what's happening
Hurricane Helene caused devastating damage in several states, especially the Carolinas, in September 2024. Several months later, Asheville, North Carolina — one of the storm's most severely impacted cities — is reopening its public transportation system, reported WYFF4. As communities like Asheville struggle to recover, experts warn that storms like Helene are becoming more intense and destructive, a trend closely linked to the climate crisis. After months of storm recovery, Asheville is finally restoring the last stops of its public bus service to neighborhoods struck by Hurricane Helene. These final stops run along the Swannanoa River Road, which was fully repaired in April. While bus routes are now resuming in Asheville, some bus shelters won't be built until later, according to WYFF4. Hurricane Helene was the deadliest mainland hurricane in the U.S. since Hurricane Katrina. Although just a single storm, it's part of a growing pattern of devastating extreme weather events. Hurricanes have always existed, but scientists believe that the changing climate caused by human activities, like burning dirty fuels and deforestation, are making these storms stronger and more destructive. These acts cause temperatures to rise in the atmosphere and oceans. Hurricanes draw in warm water as fuel, so the warmer the water or moisture in the air, the more fuel they have to grow larger and cause more destruction. "Basically, global warming is turning the atmosphere into a bigger sponge so it can soak up more moisture. When the conditions are right for rainfall, it's like squeezing that sponge," Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan, told AP News. "You get more moisture coming out faster." Supercharged storms put lives at risk. Hurricane Helene was responsible for at least 250 deaths alone, according to the National Hurricane Center. Stronger storms can also cause damage that takes communities months to years to rebuild, as evidenced by Asheville. Homes and businesses can be wiped away, and insurance premiums often skyrocket as a result. Extreme weather events will happen, but reducing the contributors that make them more intense can help. For example, transitioning to clean energy and protecting natural carbon sinks like forests can slow down the planet's overheating. Technology is also helping people prepare for major storms. One engineering team developed software that can predict natural disasters and give locals suggestions to protect themselves. Scientists are also training AI to measure the potential impact of storms on geographic regions. Explore critical climate issues to learn what you can do to make a difference. How do you feel about public transportation options near you? Fantastic Could be better Horrible I don't know or care Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Nahar Net
24-03-2025
- Climate
- Nahar Net
From deluges to drought: Climate change triggers more extreme weather
Prolonged droughts, wildfires and water shortages. Torrential downpours that overwhelm dams and cause catastrophic flooding. Around the globe, rising temperatures stoked by climate change are increasing the odds of both severe drought and heavier precipitation that wreak havoc on people and the environment. Rainfall can disappear for years only to return with a vengeance, as it did in California in 2023, with record-setting rain and snowfall. That led to heavy vegetation growth that provided fuel for the devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles after drought returned. But how can global warming cause both drier and wetter extremes? Here's what experts say. It's all about the water cycle Water constantly moves between the Earth and its atmosphere. But that system — called the hydrological cycle — is speeding up as global temperatures get hotter, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal and gas. A hotter atmosphere sucks up more water vapor from bodies of water and vegetation and soil. Over land, this atmospheric demand and loss of surface moisture leads to longer and more intense droughts, even causing some arid areas to expand. Though rain falls less often, when it does, it's often in intense and destructive deluges. That's because the atmosphere holds 7% more water vapor for every degree Celsius. "Basically, global warming is turning the atmosphere into a bigger sponge so it can soak up more moisture ... and then when the conditions are right for rainfall, it's like squeezing that sponge," said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. "You get more moisture coming out faster." Oceans play outsized role Oceans absorb most of the planet's extra heat. That causes the water to expand and ice to melt at the poles, raising sea levels. The warmer water also provides fuel for larger hurricanes and cyclones that can dump massive amounts of water in a short time. In 2023, for example, heavy one-day rains from Mediterranean storm Daniel caused massive flooding across eastern Libya that overwhelmed two dams, sending a wall of water through the coastal city of Derna that destroyed entire neighborhoods and swept bridges, cars and people out to sea. Climate scientists say climate change made that storm far more likely. Snowpack is diminishing Climate change also is affecting snowpack, a critical part of the hydrological cycle. Melting snow helps fill reservoirs and waterways, including for drinking and agriculture. But less snow is falling in general, and what does often is absorbed by thirsty soil. What's more, because winters are becoming warmer overall, the growing season is longer, meaning snowmelt also is being lost through evapotranspiration of plants. But, just like rain, climate change also can cause more intense and sometimes damaging snowstorms. "All this stuff is related to warming, which we know with perfect confidence is almost all due to human activity," Overpeck said. "The good news is, we know how to stop it if we want to."
Asharq Al-Awsat
24-03-2025
- Climate
- Asharq Al-Awsat
From Deluges to Drought: Climate Change Speeds up Water Cycle, Triggers More Extreme Weather
Prolonged droughts, wildfires and water shortages. Torrential downpours that overwhelm dams and cause catastrophic flooding. Around the globe, rising temperatures stoked by climate change are increasing the odds of both severe drought and heavier precipitation that wreak havoc on people and the environment. Rainfall can disappear for years only to return with a vengeance, as it did in California in 2023, with record-setting rain and snowfall. That led to heavy vegetation growth that provided fuel for the devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles after drought returned. But how can global warming cause both drier and wetter extremes? Here's what experts say: It's all about the water cycle Water constantly moves between the Earth and its atmosphere. But that system — called the hydrological cycle — is speeding up as global temperatures get hotter, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal and gas. A hotter atmosphere sucks up more water vapor from bodies of water and vegetation and soil. Over land, this atmospheric demand and loss of surface moisture leads to longer and more intense droughts, even causing some arid areas to expand. Though rain falls less often, when it does, it's often in intense and destructive deluges. That's because the atmosphere holds 7% more water vapor for every degree Celsius. 'Basically, global warming is turning the atmosphere into a bigger sponge so it can soak up more moisture ... and then when the conditions are right for rainfall, it's like squeezing that sponge,' said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. "You get more moisture coming out faster." Oceans play outsized role Oceans absorb most of the planet's extra heat. That causes the water to expand and ice to melt at the poles, raising sea levels. The warmer water also provides fuel for larger hurricanes and cyclones that can dump massive amounts of water in a short time. In 2023, for example, heavy one-day rains from Mediterranean storm Daniel caused massive flooding across eastern Libya that overwhelmed two dams, sending a wall of water through the coastal city of Derna that destroyed entire neighborhoods and swept bridges, cars and people out to sea. Climate scientists say climate change made that storm far more likely. Snowpack is diminishing Climate change also is affecting snowpack, a critical part of the hydrological cycle. Melting snow helps fill reservoirs and waterways, including for drinking and agriculture. But less snow is falling in general, and what does often is absorbed by thirsty soil. What's more, because winters are becoming warmer overall, the growing season is longer, meaning snowmelt also is being lost through evapotranspiration of plants. But, just like rain, climate change also can cause more intense and sometimes damaging snowstorms. 'All this stuff is related to warming, which we know with perfect confidence is almost all due to human activity,' Overpeck said. 'The good news is, we know how to stop it if we want to.'
The Independent
24-03-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
From deluges to drought: Climate change speeds up water cycle, triggers more extreme weather
Prolonged droughts, wildfires and water shortages. Torrential downpours that overwhelm dams and cause catastrophic flooding. Around the globe, rising temperatures stoked by climate change are increasing the odds of both severe drought and heavier precipitation that wreak havoc on people and the environment. Rainfall can disappear for years only to return with a vengeance, as it did in California in 2023, with record-setting rain and snowfall. That led to heavy vegetation growth that provided fuel for the devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles after drought returned. But how can global warming cause both drier and wetter extremes? Here's what experts say. It's all about the water cycle Water constantly moves between the Earth and its atmosphere. But that system — called the hydrological cycle — is speeding up as global temperatures get hotter, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal and gas. A hotter atmosphere sucks up more water vapor from bodies of water and vegetation and soil. Over land, this atmospheric demand and loss of surface moisture leads to longer and more intense droughts, even causing some arid areas to expand. Though rain falls less often, when it does, it's often in intense and destructive deluges. That's because the atmosphere holds 7% more water vapor for every degree Celsius. 'Basically, global warming is turning the atmosphere into a bigger sponge so it can soak up more moisture ... and then when the conditions are right for rainfall, it's like squeezing that sponge,' said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. "You get more moisture coming out faster." Oceans play outsized role Oceans absorb most of the planet's extra heat. That causes the water to expand and ice to melt at the poles, raising sea levels. The warmer water also provides fuel for larger hurricanes and cyclones that can dump massive amounts of water in a short time. In 2023, for example, heavy one-day rains from Mediterranean storm Daniel caused massive flooding across eastern Libya that overwhelmed two dams, sending a wall of water through the coastal city of Derna that destroyed entire neighborhoods and swept bridges, cars and people out to sea. Climate scientists say climate change made that storm far more likely. Snowpack is diminishing Climate change also is affecting snowpack, a critical part of the hydrological cycle. Melting snow helps fill reservoirs and waterways, including for drinking and agriculture. But less snow is falling in general, and what does often is absorbed by thirsty soil. What's more, because winters are becoming warmer overall, the growing season is longer, meaning snowmelt also is being lost through evapotranspiration of plants. But, just like rain, climate change also can cause more intense and sometimes damaging snowstorms. 'All this stuff is related to warming, which we know with perfect confidence is almost all due to human activity,' Overpeck said. 'The good news is, we know how to stop it if we want to.' ___ ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
From deluges to drought: Climate change speeds up water cycle, triggers more extreme weather
Prolonged droughts, wildfires and water shortages. Torrential downpours that overwhelm dams and cause catastrophic flooding. Around the globe, rising temperatures stoked by climate change are increasing the odds of both severe drought and heavier precipitation that wreak havoc on people and the environment. Rainfall can disappear for years only to return with a vengeance, as it did in California in 2023, with record-setting rain and snowfall. That led to heavy vegetation growth that provided fuel for the devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles after drought returned. But how can global warming cause both drier and wetter extremes? Here's what experts say. It's all about the water cycle Water constantly moves between the Earth and its atmosphere. But that system — called the hydrological cycle — is speeding up as global temperatures get hotter, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal and gas. A hotter atmosphere sucks up more water vapor from bodies of water and vegetation and soil. Over land, this atmospheric demand and loss of surface moisture leads to longer and more intense droughts, even causing some arid areas to expand. Though rain falls less often, when it does, it's often in intense and destructive deluges. That's because the atmosphere holds 7% more water vapor for every degree Celsius. 'Basically, global warming is turning the atmosphere into a bigger sponge so it can soak up more moisture ... and then when the conditions are right for rainfall, it's like squeezing that sponge,' said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. "You get more moisture coming out faster." Oceans play outsized role Oceans absorb most of the planet's extra heat. That causes the water to expand and ice to melt at the poles, raising sea levels. The warmer water also provides fuel for larger hurricanes and cyclones that can dump massive amounts of water in a short time. In 2023, for example, heavy one-day rains from Mediterranean storm Daniel caused massive flooding across eastern Libya that overwhelmed two dams, sending a wall of water through the coastal city of Derna that destroyed entire neighborhoods and swept bridges, cars and people out to sea. Climate scientists say climate change made that storm far more likely. Snowpack is diminishing Climate change also is affecting snowpack, a critical part of the hydrological cycle. Melting snow helps fill reservoirs and waterways, including for drinking and agriculture. But less snow is falling in general, and what does often is absorbed by thirsty soil. What's more, because winters are becoming warmer overall, the growing season is longer, meaning snowmelt also is being lost through evapotranspiration of plants. But, just like rain, climate change also can cause more intense and sometimes damaging snowstorms. 'All this stuff is related to warming, which we know with perfect confidence is almost all due to human activity,' Overpeck said. 'The good news is, we know how to stop it if we want to.' ___ Follow Webber on X: @twebber02 or Bluesky: @ ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
