Connecting the dots of extreme weather

The Tauranga Environment Centre is encouraging people to reduce their climate impact.

The initiative 350 Tauranga is supporting the global day of action on climate change called “Connect the Dots” today.

“Connect the Dots” recognises the record-breaking heat waves in Russia, wildfires in Australia, and floods in Thailand.

Tauranga residents are being encouraged to be involved in everyday solutions by planting vegetables reducing the consumption of oil based products and recycling what can’t be re-used or used-up.

Atmospheric Research climate section head Dr Kevin Trenberth says every time we pick up the newspaper and read about another record-breaking natural disaster, it becomes increasingly clear climate change is not a future problem – it is happening right now.

He says because of that, there is an opportunity for people to be involved in every day solutions.

“Scientists are frequently asked whether single events are caused by climate change.

“No events are caused by climate change or global warming, but all events have a contribution. All weather events are affected by climate change because the environment in which they occur is warmer and moister than it used to be.”

Kevin says weather and climate are different, but connected. 

He says the planet has always had severe weather: floods, droughts, storms, and more.

“But what climatologists now say is that as we burn fossil fuel and raise carbon levels in the atmosphere, we raise the odds of these damaging events.

“We are seeing distinct trends and records set for nearly every type of extreme weather: high temperatures get higher, rainfalls set new records, droughts get deeper, wildfires burn more acres.”

For more information contact the Tauranga Environment Centre.