Deadly weather.
The weather can be a killer.
The epic cold weather in western New York this week is a grim reminder of the relocation of the Tuscarora Indian tribe of North Carolina in the mid-18th Century from the coast of N.C. to bitter coldness with plants that were unknown to them, no houses, and no knowledge of the medicines that grew in this new ecosystem in the best of the summer. Adjusting to such severe conditions is mind-numbing for me just to consider how I might have existed in such a harsh environment.
As a major cold wave affects every state in the United States this week, the news is that it is a “once in a lifetime weather event”. How does this compare to other severe weather events in our history and other catastrophies?
In 2004, a Tsunami in southeast Asia took the lives of 300,000 victims.
In 1970, a cyclone in Bangladesh took the lives of 300,000 victims.
In 1931, a flood in Huang He Basin, China took the lives of 3.7 million victims.
Catastrophes
A catastrophe is “an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster.” Merriam’s dictionary defines it as “a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin.”
Other catastrophies in the history of world civilization that are similar or greater in magnitude are pandemics (Black Death, 1918 Flu, COVID-19), geological events (Mt. Tambouro, Indonesia volcano, Shaan Xi, China earthquake) and chemical and nuclear weapons and accidents.1
Weather events are not climate change
You will not hear a lot about global warming during this epic cold wave over America, which should make evident that the weather is not climate change.
Weather events are the result of weather patterns that occur over a certain period of time. The El Nino effect, for example will change the weather patterns for the year. Climate change is the long-term alteration in global or regional climate patterns, caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and deforestation. While catastrophic events can have devastating effects on people’s lives, it is important to remember that these events are natural and not necessarily caused by climate change. Understanding the science behind catastrophe events can help us better prepare for them in the future. By taking appropriate measures, we can reduce the risk of catastrophe occuring and increase our resilience when catastrophe does strike.
It is also important to remember that climate change takes place regionally, and not one event. Some regions will get warmer and some cooler, so it is not the uniform blanket of warmth that may be portrayed in the media.
The Epic Cold Wave of December 2022
Unfortunately, we are going to have lives lost in this epic cold wave, due to lack of heat, stranded cars, medical emergencies that cannot be reached, and even lack of food and water.
Our ability to predict weather events has improved although we still use the traditional weather balloon, but have added sophisticated computer modeling with satellite data. We will always need the human factor to save those who are most vulnerable and we are being tested with our current weather event just on the heels of a beginning recovery from an epic pandemic.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2122666