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https://theconversation.com/manila-is-reeling-after-a-super-typhoon-we-must-prepare-fast-growing-megacities-for-worsening-disasters-235598>
"Last week, a strong typhoon left a trail of destruction across the
Philippines, Taiwan and China. Super Typhoon Gaemi began as a tropical storm
but intensified rapidly, leaving at least 65 people dead and triggering
environmental fears after it sank an oil tanker in Manila Bay.
The Philippines was hard hit. More than 470 millimetres of rain fell in 24
hours in some regions. The intense storm affected more than 3.3 million
Filipinos and forced more than 1 million to leave their homes.
Why was it so bad? President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had a clear view, saying:
“This is what the effects of climate change are”.
Climate change certainly played a role. The typhoon intensified fast over very
warm seas, reaching top wind speeds of 230 kilometres per hour. Early analysis
indicates the storm was likely strengthened by climate change, given the
backdrop of the warmest ocean temperatures on record.
But as extreme weather becomes more common and intense, there’s a growing risk
leaders in affected countries can use climate change to dodge responsibility
for adaptation. Climate change warms the seas and warm water is fuel for more
severe hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons. But the damage a storm does can be
made much worse if governments do not design and prepare cities and
infrastructure – as we have just seen in the Philippines."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
