If we use the best science as our guide and recognise the significant changes ahead, we can lessen some of the risks from future superstorms. At the same time, we must also sharply reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are fuelling climate disruptions. Sandy is the latest example of unusual extreme weather in a long line of such recent events around the world which are becoming more frequent or severe.
Loading the atmosphere with carbon pollution is like putting an athlete on steroids. Atlantic hurricanes in the fall are nothing new, but Sandy was energised by October sea surface temperatures that were among the warmest on record off the US mid-Atlantic coast. Its final westward track was influenced by high pressure patterns that a growing body of evidence links to record low sea ice in the Arctic.
Unfortunately, climate change will make extreme weather events like Sandy the norm, and not the exception. The WWF therefore urge people everywhere, and especially our present and future leaders, to recognise Sandy as the latest sign that climate change is a real and dangerous threat, and to lead a serious conversation in America about how to respond.
Now is the time to make climate change a priority by preparing for more extreme weather patterns, embracing renewable energy, and curbing our emissions to avoid more disruptive future changes.
