Columbia Energy Exchange

Summer Outlook: What to Make of Extreme Weather Predictions

Jun 11, 2024

Explore the escalating risks of extreme weather events due to climate change, including heatwaves, droughts, and hurricanes. Learn about the impacts of rising global temperatures and the shift from El Nino to La Nina conditions. Discover the interconnected vulnerabilities of society to climate change and the importance of adaptation measures. Dive into the concept of compound extreme events and the implications of accelerated global warming on critical systems. Delve into the urgency for increased investments in adaptation to safeguard against extreme weather, and see how students are driving climate solutions and social responsibility.

50:19

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Quick takeaways

Climate change intensifies extreme weather events globally, demanding robust adaptation measures.

Rising temperatures and variability challenge climate predictions, exacerbated by El Niño dynamics and wet bulb temperature risks.

Deep dives

Reassessing Climate Risks

Climate scientists are reevaluating worst-case scenarios of climate change, noting the increasing probability of extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, thunderstorms, and hurricanes. Instances like the 2024 hurricane season's predicted high storm frequency highlight the escalating risks. Climate change is intensifying these events, as seen in rising temperatures globally. Adaptation efforts are crucial to address this evolving reality.

Intro

2min

Analysis of Rising Global Temperatures and the Impact of El Nino

2min

Understanding Climate Variability and Extreme Weather Events

16min

Compound Extreme Events in Climate Science

12min

Implications of Accelerated Global Warming and Tipping Points

4min

Impacts of Severe Weather Events and the Urgency for Adaptation Measures

10min

Students' proactive approach to climate solutions and social responsibility

5min

In the next few months, heat waves, droughts, thunderstorms, and hurricanes will wreak havoc on regions around the world. Climate scientists say these events are becoming more extreme and dangerous thanks in part to the changing climate.

For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s outlook for the 2024 hurricane season, which just started June 1, anticipates an exceptionally high number of storms this year.

So, why are extreme weather events worsening? How is climate change contributing to this development? And what measures are being taken to adapt to this new reality?

This week host Bill Loveless talks with Radley Horton about the outlook for extreme weather events across the globe this summer, and why the intensity and severity of them is expected to increase.

Radley is a professor at the Columbia Climate School, where he teaches and researches climate extremes, risks, impacts, and adaptation. He was a convening lead author for the United States’ Third National Climate Assessment, and he is currently a principal investigator for NOAA, focusing on climate risk in the urban U.S. Northeast.

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Columbia Energy Exchange

Summer Outlook: What to Make of Extreme Weather Predictions

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Reassessing Climate Risks

Temperature Surprises and El Niño

Understanding Wet Bulb Temperature

Compound Extreme Events and Adaptation Challenges

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts