Altered Rainfall Patterns and the Threat of Typhoons

Recent scientific findings, highlighted in a publication last Friday, reveal the clear and present danger that climate change poses to our world, intensifying its destructive effects. Singapore is experiencing altered rainfall patterns, a symptom of broader catastrophic impacts caused by global warming.

Last week, Taiwan, the Philippines, and China faced the fury of the year's most powerful typhoon, which necessitated widespread shutdowns of schools, businesses, and financial markets, with wind speeds reaching a devastating 227 kph (141 mph). Such events underscore the harsh reality of a warming world where increased sea surface temperatures facilitate the development of fewer, yet significantly more powerful tropical storms.

The Science of Increasing Precipitation Variability

According to research led by Zhang Wenxia at the China Academy of Sciences, approximately 75% of the world's land area now suffers from what is termed "precipitation variability"—this means there are greater extremes between dry and wet periods. The primary cause? A warming planet enhances the atmosphere's capacity to hold moisture, leading to more pronounced fluctuations in rainfall. This variability is expected to widen, increasing the likelihood of severe droughts and floods.

Steven Sherwood from the Climate Change Research Centre at the University of New South Wales explains that this increased variability in weather patterns results in "rainier rain periods and drier dry periods." He warns that this trend will only accelerate as global warming continues, enhancing the chances of extreme weather conditions.

Typhoons: Less Frequent, More Intense

Typhoon Gaemi, the strongest typhoon to hit Taiwan in eight years, exemplifies the new norm of tropical storms: intense and devastating. While it is challenging to attribute a single weather event directly to climate change, the pattern is unmistakable. Global warming likely makes typhoons stronger, as warmer ocean temperatures create more favorable conditions for tropical cyclones to develop and intensify.

Reflecting this trend, China's recent "blue paper" on climate change and Taiwan's climate report both note a significant shift: the number of typhoons may be decreasing, but their intensity is not. This is attributed to the uneven pattern of ocean warming, with faster temperature rises in the western Pacific than in the east. Feng Xiangbo, a tropical cyclone research scientist at the University of Reading, points out that "water vapor capacity in the lower atmosphere is expected to rise by 7% for each 1-degree Celsius increase in temperatures."

Immediate Action Required

The evidence is mounting, and the message is clear: the planet is in peril, not in some distant future, but today. Climate activists urge immediate and decisive action to mitigate these effects. Reducing carbon emissions, enhancing renewable energy usage, and implementing rigorous climate policies are no longer options but necessities. The collective action, or inaction, of today's societies will determine the future for the next generations. The choice is stark, and the need for swift, effective action is urgent.