Extreme Weather Conditions: Who Do We Blame?

Extreme Weather Conditions:  Who Do We Blame?

Scientists continue to debate the causes of climate change as the world takes the heat.

Some people are jumping in pools and going to the beach.
Others are facing life-threatening freezing temperatures.

What do scientists say?

Global warming may be the cause of recent weather patterns.

The planet warms as more energy and water vapor enter the air.

Global Warming

Leads to:

• Increasing heat waves
• Heavy rainfall
• Coastal flooding

Not all types of weather extremes are connected to global warming.

Tornadoes have not become more damaging in recent years.
Scientists have debated whether the Russian heat wave of 2010 is a result of global warming.

Human Activity Influence in the Arctic

The Arctic is warming more rapidly than the rest of the planet.  

Scientists claim this is due to the increase of greenhouse gases.

The Arctic ice cap has shrunk by 40% since the early 1980's.

This caused an area the size of Europe to become open water instead of ice.  

The water absorbs extra heat and releases it into the atmosphere in the fall and early winter.

Some scientists claim that this is affecting the jet stream.

What's next?

One researcher believes that not all extreme weather change is attributed to humans.

The recent heat wave in March is a result from natural causes according to climate researcher Dr. Hoerling. 

We may not even have to worry about the Arctic.  According to Dr. Horeling, a computer analysis he conducted failed to show a widespread effect from the melting ice.

Uncertainty Remains

The heat wave is still affecting citizens across the country.

One maple syrup producer in Virginia had his first bad batch of syrup in 46 years.  This was due to the heat wave during the winter.

The trees budded early which resulted in bad tasting maple syrup.  He is unsure if this is because of climate change, but he does know he has "never seen anything like it."