A study indicates climate change exacerbated six storms in the Philippines in late 2024, leading to over 170 deaths, 1.4 million displacements, and US$500 million in damages. The study asserts that warming oceans are increasing storm intensity, predicting future storms will be even more destructive.
A recent study conducted by World Weather Attribution (WWA) revealed that climate change significantly intensified a series of six consecutive storms in the Philippines, resulting in more than 170 fatalities between October and November 2024. This unprecedented string of weather events caused displacement for approximately 1.4 million individuals and led to damage estimated at nearly US$500 million. The research indicated that the effects of climate change have increased the likelihood of such destructive storms, which are anticipated to continue growing in intensity as global temperatures rise.
The Philippines experiences a high frequency of tropical cyclones, with an average of six to eight landfalling systems annually. However, the record occurrence of five typhoons within a month is unusual and can be attributed to climate change phenomena that raise sea surface temperatures, impacting storm intensity and frequency. Climate change, primarily driven by fossil fuel emissions, alters atmospheric conditions providing favorable environments for the development of more powerful storms, which generate higher rainfall and stronger winds.
The evidence presented in the study by WWA underscores the alarming connection between climate change and the increasing severity of storm activity in the Philippines. As our planet continues to warm, the likelihood of destructive weather events appears to escalate, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted climate action to mitigate future impacts on vulnerable regions such as the Philippines.
Original Source: asianews.network
