Causes of extreme weather events in the US

Burning fossil fuels has many “side-effects,” manifesting as extreme weather events. Therefore, global warming is responsible for heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and other catastrophic events. Higher atmospheric temperatures affect weather conditions and contribute to rising sea levels and flooding along the coasts. According to the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) report, warming greater than 1.5°C has already been experienced in many regions and seasons, with greater average warming over land than over sea.

In addition to burning fossil fuels, other human activities like deforestation, urbanisation, and agriculture have significantly altered the world’s landscapes, leading to changes in local weather patterns and contributing to temperature rise. The US EPA says the frequency of heat waves in the United States has grown by 47 per cent over the last three decades. Heat waves can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, all of which can be fatal, especially among vulnerable demographics like the elderly and young children.

Air pollution is another consequence of burning fossil fuels. Particulate matter in the air can lead to severe respiratory illnesses and worsen the effects of heat waves.

Poor water-management practices, such as building dams or levees, can increase the risk of flooding in some low-lying areas while exacerbating drought in others. The lack of planning for sustainable watershed management can lead to severe water shortages.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that 2020 was an unprecedented year for weather and climate disasters in the United States. There were 22 separate billion-dollar events, totalling $95 billion (about $290 per person in the US), breaking the previous high of 16 events in 2017. Hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and severe storms impacted millions of people across the country. The losses range anywhere from critical infrastructure, such as roads, airports, ports, hospitals, schools, etc., to homes, and environmental damage to ecosystems or crops, among other areas exposed to the effects of intense temperatures, sudden rain, and extensive droughts.

Climate change has also increased the frequency and intensity of droughts throughout the United States. Droughts have become progressively regular in the western United States since the 1950s, and they are expected to become worse and more frequent in the future, according to the US EPA. Droughts can result in agricultural losses, water shortages, and wildfires, all of which can be disastrous for both nature and human life.

In avoiding additional harm to the environment, infrastructure, and human life, it is critical to take action to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Leveraging a deep understanding of critical environmental issues, GHD offers a wide range of services that can help mitigate the effects of extreme weather events.

At GHD, we can help you tackle the impacts of climate change through our comprehensive climate-risk assessments, resilient infrastructure designs, flood management strategies, and sustainable water-resource planning.

By integrating cutting-edge technology, data analytics, and extensive knowledge, GHD ensures that you are equipped to navigate the complex landscape of extreme weather events and build a sustainable future for communities in the US and across the globe.

Learn more about the innovative masteries of GHD at Innovation and technical expertise, at our core - GHD, and learn more about key projects across different regions on our website.

Articles referenced

^{Hersher, Rebecca 2023, ‘Climate change makes heat waves, storms and droughts worse, climate report confirms’, retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://www.npr.org/2023/01/09/1147805696/climate-change-makes-heat-waves-storms-and-droughts-worse-climate-report-confirm}

^{Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2023, Global warming of 1.5ºC, retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/chapter-1/}

^{Miller, Peter 2012, ‘What’s causing extreme weather?’ retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/120820-extreme-weather-heat-waves-science-environment-global-warming}

^{National Climate Assessment 2014, Third National Climate Assessment, retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/highlights/report-findings/extreme-weather}