Climate+change+and+hurricanes+(typhoons)+2010

By Matthew Nicolas


 * Climate Change and Hurricanes**

Hurricaneas are fierce tropical storms. These tropical storm occur over warm water which needs to be at least 80 degrees. A tropical storm forms when a system of powerful thunderstorms come together and begin a rotation in the atmosphere forming a vortex known as the tropical depression. The tropical storm is officially labeled a hurricane if winds speed reach 74mph or greater. The National Hurricane Center categorizes hurricanes based on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Hurricanes are categorized for potential damage; the higher the category the more destructive force the hurricane has. Major hurricanes are defined by at least a category 3 or higher by the National Hurricane Center. According to the 2007 Fourth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change there is no clear trend of tropical cyclones. However in the North Atlantic there has been a clear frequency of tropical storms. The increase frequency of storms in North Atlantic links to the increase of warmer water which has been linked to increase of global warming. Several peer reviewed studies show a clear trend of increase intensity of the strongest hurricanes over last 2 or 3 decades.
 * What are Hurricanes?**
 * **Saffir – Simpson Hurricane Scale** ||
 * Category || Wind Speed (mph) || Storm surge (feet) ||
 * 1 || 74 – 95 || 4-5 ||
 * 2 || 96 – 110 || 6 – 8 ||
 * 3 || 111 – 130 || 9 – 12 ||
 * 4 || 131 – 155 || 13 – 18 ||
 * 5 || > 155 || > 18 ||
 * Increased Frequency and Intensity of Hurricanes?**

Theorectically global warming could very well affect a rise in frecuency and intensity of hurricanes. We all know that global warming has become an all too true reality and that there has been an dramatic increase of global warming within recent years due to the clearing of forests and burning of fossil fuels which has elevated CO2 levels in the atmosphere. With sea levels rising from glacier melting as he oceans become warmer the rising sea level and warmer water means higher storm surges. And with higher storm surges there are also increased coastal flooding and subsequent storm damages along the coast. Also in addition to that there its possible for associated heavy rains that could extend to hundreds of miles inland which would further increase the chance of flooding.
 * Global Warming Effect**

As shown by the graph below the number of major hurricanes has drastically increased by late 1990's and into the 21st century. If global warming is the cause for increase in frequency and intensity of hurricanes then by this graph we are are the cause for climate change and increase of hurricane number and strength.
 * Increase of Major Hurricanes**

Since we are likely responisble for increase in major hurricanes by the increased burning of fossil fuels or the clearing of forests. What we should do is obviously stop just wiping out whole forests and stop burning fossil fuels by relying on petroluem for our vehicles. We need to find a new major energy source to be reliant on thats replenshable and that we are able to cheaply use across the world. If we do that we can stop the increase of global warming and use of fossil fuels we can at least decrease the effect of global warming.
 * What We Should Do**

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 * Sources**
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