Hurricane Gustav and the Farmers’ Almanac are just two of the latest reminders of global warming. In short, "global warming is putting hurricanes on steroids," according to a new report entitled "Increasing Vulnerability to Hurricanes: Global Warming’s Wake-Up Call for the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic Coasts," by Dr. Amanda Staudt of the National Wildlife Federation.
Another reminder that will hit home is that Hurricane Gustav is causing oil prices to soar again. Over the last year, oil prices have already been a public reminder of global warming, so perhaps Hurricane Gustav + oil fluctuations will act as a 1-2 punch.
In the research, Dr. Staudt links stronger storms to global warming and predicts that tropical sea surface temperatures could rise 3° F, which is three times the warming increase to date, if greenhouse gas emissions continue at today’s levels over the next century.
"Although no single weather event can be attributed to global warming, it’s critical to understand that a warming climate is supplying the very conditions that fuel the strongest storms."
Be smart people, protect our planet in any way you can.
Environmental Wake-Up Calls
Global Warming Puts Hurricanes on Steroids
Trend Themes
1. Increasing Vulnerability to Hurricanes - Disruptive innovation opportunity: developing advanced warning systems and sustainable infrastructure to mitigate the impact of stronger storms caused by global warming.
2. Rising Tropical Sea Surface Temperatures - Disruptive innovation opportunity: creating new technologies and practices to monitor and regulate sea surface temperatures to prevent further warming and minimize the intensity of tropical storms.
3. Understanding the Link Between Weather Events and Global Warming - Disruptive innovation opportunity: conducting research and developing tools to accurately attribute weather events to global warming, leading to more effective communication and proactive measures to combat climate change.
Industry Implications
1. Weather Monitoring and Alert Systems - Disruptive innovation opportunity: innovating advanced technology to enhance the accuracy and speed of weather monitoring and alert systems, saving lives and minimizing damage caused by hurricanes.
2. Renewable Energy - Disruptive innovation opportunity: accelerating the adoption and development of renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of global warming.
3. Environmental Monitoring and Research - Disruptive innovation opportunity: investing in advanced monitoring and research capabilities to better understand the impact of global warming on weather patterns and ecosystems, enabling more effective conservation and mitigation efforts.