Hurricane expert Kerry Emanual discusses the supercharging of hurricanes by global warming. Brazilian ecologist Erika Berenguer explains the destruction caused by drought in Amazonia. Climate scientists Chris Smith and Norman Loeb reveal the urgency of climate action and the higher sensitivity of the climate to greenhouse gases.
Hurricane Otis's supercharged intensity due to global warming highlights the need for improved forecasting systems to mitigate risks.
The ongoing heat wave and forest fires in South America underscore the urgent need for preventive measures and stronger efforts to combat climate change.
Deep dives
Hurricane Otis and Rapid Intensification
The podcast discusses the impact of Hurricane Otis, a powerful storm that hit Acapulco, Mexico, highlighting the failure of forecasts to predict its strength. Climate scientists attribute the rapid intensification of hurricanes like Otis to global warming. Rising surface temperatures and warm seas provide the energy required for storms to intensify quickly. The podcast emphasizes the need for improved forecasting and warning systems to mitigate the risks and prevent humanitarian catastrophes.
Forest Fires in South America and Climate Change
The podcast addresses the ongoing heat wave and drought in South America, which has led to massive forest fires in the region. These fires are exacerbated by deforestation practices, where forests are cleared by burning, intensified by the drier conditions caused by El Niño and climate change. The podcast highlights the detrimental impact on the environment, including the burning of accumulated deforestation from previous years. It emphasizes the urgent need for preventive measures, increased resources for firefighting, and stronger efforts to combat climate change.
Carbon Budget and Climate Sensitivity
The podcast discusses the urgency of reducing CO2 emissions to limit the global temperature rise. Recent studies show that we have a limited carbon budget, and at the current emission rate of 40 billion tonnes per year, we will exhaust it within six years. The podcast emphasizes the importance of immediate action to reduce emissions and reach net-zero as soon as possible. Additionally, it highlights the updated estimation of climate sensitivity, indicating that the warming impact of doubling CO2 is now estimated to be 4.8 degrees Celsius. The podcast underscores the need for accelerated emissions reductions and the missed opportunities in the past to address climate change.
Category 5 hurricane Otis, which devastated Acapulco, was supercharged by global warming; hurricane expert Kerry Emanual tells Science in Action.
Also, Brazilian ecologist Erika Berenguer has witnessed the destruction caused by the prolonged drought in Amazonia, where the rivers are drying up and the forest is burning.
And, climate scientists now say there is less time than previously thought to avoid further dangerous warming. Two climate scientists, Chris Smith and Norman Loeb, break the bad news - that the climate is more sensitive to greenhouse gases than forecasts have used.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Ella Hubber
Editor: Martin Smith
Production co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
(Photo: A woman sits amongst the damage after Hurricane Otis. Credit: Silvana Flores/Getty Images)
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