Twitter
Advertisement

DNA Explainer: How climate change causes flooding? Expert opinion on European floods

Many factors contribute to flooding, but a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely as it holds more moisture.

Latest News
article-main
Total death toll in Germany due to floods rises above 100, say authorities (Image Source: Reuters)
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

In one of the worst flooding in decades, at least 120 people have died and hundreds more are unaccounted for in western Europe. Over 100 people have died from the devastating floods caused by torrential rainfall in western and southern Germany. Thousands of others are missing, police and local authorities said. 

At least 20 people have died in Belgium. The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Switzerland are also affected. Many factors contribute to flooding, but a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely.

Scientists have condemned politicians for failing to protect their citizens from extreme weather events such as the floods in northern Europe and the US heat dome. They have been predicting for years that summer rainfall and heat waves would become more intense due to human-induced climate change.

 The flash floods in London, Edinburgh, and elsewhere last week were unusual compared with the past, but they will be more common in the future, say experts.

European flood linked to climate change?

Scientists have long predicted climate disruption will lead to more extreme weather, such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods.

Human emissions from engine exhaust fumes, forest burning, and other industrial activities are heating the planet.

As the atmosphere gets warmer it holds more moisture which brings more rainfall.

The world has already warmed by about 1.2 degrees Celcius since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless there are steep emission cuts.

Scientists say governments must cut the CO2 emissions that are fuelling extreme events, and prepare for more extreme weather.

The world's seven hottest years in recorded history have all come since 2014.

Human emissions made the deadly 'heat dome' in Canada and North America last month at least 150 times more likely.

Climate change made the prolonged heatwave in Siberia last year more than 600 times more probable, say experts.

On floods may be linked to a disruption of the jet stream, one theory suggests that the loss of ice in the Arctic has made the jet stream more erratic.

However, there is not yet a scientific consensus on this topic, but experts are increasingly concerned.

How does climate change cause flooding?

Global heating causes more water to evaporate, which leads to an increase in the amount of annual rain and snow.

At the same time, a warmer atmosphere means it can hold more moisture which also increases the intensity of rainfall.

Rather than gently watering plants, this intense rainfall leads to flooding, like we're seeing in Northern Europe now.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement