A connection between Irma hurricane and climate change?

It is a difficult question, though inevitable to ask ourselves.

A recent New York Times article opens with a simple consideration. Having a warmer atmosphere is equivalent to allowing the accumulation of more moisture in the air and consequently releasing more water as precipatations.

The image contained in the article, correlating the temperature pattern and the frequency of extreme rain that hit the USA since the early 1900s does not need any further comment on it.

“There is overwhelming evidence that climate change is altering the weather. Irma and Harvey weren’t caused by climate change, but they almost certainly would not have been so powerful if the air and the seas fueling them hadn’t been so warm”.

The article continues quoting a recent scientific report “There is strong evidence that increased water vapor resulting from higher temperatures is the primary cause” of the increase in major rainfall events in most US countries”.

The closure of the article is equally clear. “Welcome to the era of extreme rain. We can continue to pretend it’s all a coincidence and watch the consequences mount. Or we can start to do something about it — by using less of the dirty energy that’s changing the climate and by preparing for a future that’s guaranteed to be hotter and rainier”.

Click here to read the original article.