2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Global Warming Not Major Cause of Storms
Vanessa Rozier
5/12/07
Nation & World
Nation & World
There is one natural phenomenon that has been blamed for major hurricanes such as Katrina, Dennis, Rita and Wilma of 2005 and the six intense hurricanes of 2004. It has been connected with the numerous tornadoes of the Midwest and the winter's flood-infested Nor'easter season.
As the frequency and intensity of these natural disasters seems to be increasing and the weather becomes less predictable, conversation makes a wrong turn toward global warming.
Global warming is a natural phenomenon defined as a long-term gradual increase in the earth's temperature.
According to experts like William M. Gray and Phil Klotzbach, research associates in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, it is not global warming, but "changes in ocean salinity" that can be blamed for the surge in natural disasters in the United States.
"There is no reason to believe that Atlantic hurricane frequency or intensity will change significantly if global ocean temperatures continue to rise," Klotzbach said.
When comparing hurricane frequency and intensity in 15-year periods, Klotzbach pointed out that 1990 to 2004 showed no difference in data from that of the 1950 to 1964 period.
In 2005 alone, there were 14 hurricanes, seven of which were intense. While 2005 proved to be one of the more active hurricane seasons in recent history with 26 named, there were 21 named storms in 1933 - equally as numerous.
"There is nothing too out of the ordinary about these past hurricane seasons," said Kent Laborde, the spokesman of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Laborde said climate change has an impact on natural disasters but cannot be singled out as the sole cause.
The Atlantic basin is currently active with predictions already declared for the upcoming season. The National Hurricane Center announced that this season's first named storm, Andrea, was downgraded to subtropical status while approaching the East Coast.
"We are predicting an active hurricane season next year with a total of 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and five major hurricanes," Klotzbach said.
As the frequency and intensity of these natural disasters seems to be increasing and the weather becomes less predictable, conversation makes a wrong turn toward global warming.
Global warming is a natural phenomenon defined as a long-term gradual increase in the earth's temperature.
According to experts like William M. Gray and Phil Klotzbach, research associates in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, it is not global warming, but "changes in ocean salinity" that can be blamed for the surge in natural disasters in the United States.
"There is no reason to believe that Atlantic hurricane frequency or intensity will change significantly if global ocean temperatures continue to rise," Klotzbach said.
When comparing hurricane frequency and intensity in 15-year periods, Klotzbach pointed out that 1990 to 2004 showed no difference in data from that of the 1950 to 1964 period.
In 2005 alone, there were 14 hurricanes, seven of which were intense. While 2005 proved to be one of the more active hurricane seasons in recent history with 26 named, there were 21 named storms in 1933 - equally as numerous.
"There is nothing too out of the ordinary about these past hurricane seasons," said Kent Laborde, the spokesman of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Laborde said climate change has an impact on natural disasters but cannot be singled out as the sole cause.
The Atlantic basin is currently active with predictions already declared for the upcoming season. The National Hurricane Center announced that this season's first named storm, Andrea, was downgraded to subtropical status while approaching the East Coast.
"We are predicting an active hurricane season next year with a total of 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and five major hurricanes," Klotzbach said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Kalkalasch
ilia
posted 5/13/07 @ 11:11 AM EST
Global warming is racist! Is a White folk problem!
Hunter's Mom
posted 5/14/07 @ 8:50 AM EST
anyone who is still not convinced that there is a direct connection between our lifestyle choices, global warming and recent changes in weather worldwide, had better get their heads out of the sand and start taking a long hard look at what type of earth we're creating for our old age and our children's lives. (Continued…)
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