Please select your home edition
Edition
GJW Direct 2020

"Indisputable" new research proves effects of climate change are underway

by Daria Blackwell 26 Mar 12:22 UTC
Track map of Severe Tropical Cyclone Freddy. The background image is from NASA. Tracking data is from NRL and NOAA © NASA

It has been a rough few weeks for climate change deniers. Multiple studies have confirmed that our climate is rapidly changing, and not for the better.

The Washington Post announced that a new study has provided indisputable evidence that a warmer world causes extreme drought and rain. Intense drought and heavy rainfall events occurred more often in the last eight years, the hottest years on record, than in the previous decade, according to the new study released in Nature Water this week. This is not a model or a theory. It is fact obtained from the observation of satellite data.

Another study published in the journal Nature also this week proved that Arctic ice has seen an 'irreversible' thinning since 2007. This new research suggests the decline was a fundamental change unlikely to be reversed this century. The authors suggest that this is proof that the planet has passed an alarming climactic tipping point.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Freddy has ripped through Southern Africa twice in one month. Overall, the cyclone killed at least 424 people: 326 in Malawi, 63 in Mozambique, 17 in Madagascar, 16 in a shipwreck near Mauritius, and 2 in Zimbabwe. Experts say climate change is making tropical storms around the world wetter, windier, and more intense.

Cyclone Freddy had broken records for the strength it accumulated over the 8,000-km (5,000-mile) path it travelled across the Indian Ocean from north-western Australia. It was one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere and it is the longest-lasting storm of its kind in recorded human history. Freddy now holds the world record for "accumulated cyclone energy," a metric to gauge a cyclone's strength over time.

Data pertaining to the Track Map for Cyclone Freddy

Description: Track map of Severe Tropical Cyclone Freddy / Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Freddy of the 2022-23 Australian region cyclone season and the 2022-23 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. The points show the location of the storm at 6-hour intervals. The colour represents the storm's maximum sustained wind speeds as classified in the Saffir-Simpson scale (see below), and the shape of the data points represent the nature of the storm, according to the legend below.

Saffir-Simpson scale Tropical depression (=38 mph, =62 km/h) Tropical storm (39-73 mph, 63-118 km/h) Category 1 (74-95 mph, 119-153 km/h) Category 2 (96-110 mph, 154-177 km/h) Category 3 (111-129 mph, 178-208 km/h) Category 4 (130-156 mph, 209-251 km/h) Category 5 (=157 mph, =252 km/h)

Unknown Storm type ? Tropical cyclone ¦ Subtropical cyclone ? Extratropical cyclone / Remnant low / Tropical disturbance / Monsoon depression Date 2023-02-03-2023-03-14

This article has been provided by the courtesy of Ocean Cruising Club.

Related Articles

Antarctic winter sea ice hits 'extreme' record low
Antarctic Sea Ice Maximum and Arctic Sea Ice Minimum are both in and the results are alarming The preliminary Antarctic Sea Ice Maximum and Arctic Sea Ice Minimum are both in and the results are alarming scientists. Posted today at 12:03 am
Lessons from s/v Novara's expedition
The expedition sought to support Scottish Highlands and Islands climate action s/v Novara's expedition sought to support Scottish Highlands and Islands climate action. Posted on 2 Oct
Jeanne Socrates named to Cape Horn Hall of Fame
A three-time circumnavigator via the Capes Four Whitbread/Volvo/Ocean Race Veterans and two record-breaking female solo circumnavigators were inducted into the Cape Horn Hall of Fame. Posted on 2 Oct
Norwegian scientists prove why beach cleans matter
Removal prevents the breakdown to microplastic fragments The removal of bigger pieces of plastic from coastlines prevents the breakdown to microplastic fragments that may stay in the water for years, giving scientists hope for polluted oceans. Posted on 24 Sep
The most anticipated NWP is underway!
Some old veterans showed up this year to navigate the Northwest Passage Just over 30 ships and sailing vessels are trying their best to navigate the Northwest Passage. Initial outlook for ice didn't give much comfort to all who are asking questions and expressing doubts. Posted on 20 Aug
Saoirse Circumnavigation Centenary celebration
The event commenced with the fleet gathering on Porto Santo first The ICC/RCC Cruise to Madeira to commemorate Conor O Brien's circumnavigation, one of the first by a yacht, was a great success. OCC was well represented. Posted on 18 Jul
Forecasters increase count for hurricane season
Citing high sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Colorado State University (CSU) and Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) forecasters have increased their forecasts for the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season, citing high sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic. Posted on 17 Jul
Saoirse Cruise to Madeira departs Dublin Bay
June this year will mark the centenary of the departure from Royal Irish YC of Member Conor O Brien The Irish Cruising Club and Royal Cruising Club are hosting a rally in Madeira to celebrate the centenary of Conor O Brien's voyage aboard the yacht Saoirse. Posted on 26 Jun
World Ocean Day unites and rallies the world
Celebrate the life in the oceans, protect and restore our planet Celebrate the life in the oceans and take action on the 8th of June. Do it for the biodiversity. Posted on 4 Jun
North Atlantic SST Anomalies noted
The graph from Climateanalyzer shows the temperature anomalies Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and other factors have been noted as deviating from the norms for the North Atlantic in the early months of 2023. Posted on 30 May
Pantaenius 2022 - SAIL & POWER 1 FOOTER ROWHyde Sails 2023 SIBS - FOOTERCrewsaver 2021 Safetyline FOOTER