What is an atmospheric river? With millions of people under flood alerts, a hydrologist explains the good and bad of these storms and how they’re changing

These giant rivers in the sky are both destructive and essential for the Western U.S. water supply.

Qian Cao, Hydrologist, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, University of California, San Diego • conversation
Jan. 30, 2024 • ~8 min

What is an atmospheric river? With millions of people under flood alerts, a hydrologist explains these storms and how they’re changing

These giant rivers in the sky are also essential for the Western U.S. water supply. Their rain and snowfall is expected to become more intense as the planet warms.

Qian Cao, Hydrologist, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, University of California, San Diego • conversation
Jan. 30, 2024 • ~8 min

What is an atmospheric river? A hydrologist explains the good and bad of these flood-prone storms and how they’re changing

These giant rivers in the sky are bringing more intense rainfall as the planet warms.

Qian Cao, Hydrologist, Center For Western Weather and Water Extremes, University of California, San Diego • conversation
Jan. 30, 2024 • ~7 min

Extreme cold still happens in a warming world – in fact climate instability may be disrupting the polar vortex

While the world can expect fewer severe cold events as average temperatures rise, people still need to be prepared for wintery blasts.

Mathew Barlow, Professor of Climate Science, UMass Lowell • conversation
Jan. 17, 2024 • ~5 min

Blizzards are inescapable − but the most expensive winter storm damage is largely preventable

Costs quickly rise when things go wrong with roads, roofs and power lines. Many of those risks are also avoidable.

Michel Bruneau, Professor of Engineering, University at Buffalo • conversation
Jan. 11, 2024 • ~8 min

2023's billion-dollar disasters list shattered the US record with 28 big weather and climate disasters amid Earth's hottest year on record

An atmospheric scientist explains how rising temperatures are helping to fuel extreme storms, floods, droughts and devastating wildfires.

Shuang-Ye Wu, Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, University of Dayton • conversation
Jan. 9, 2024 • ~8 min

2023's extreme storms, heat and wildfires broke records – a scientist explains how global warming fuels climate disasters

The US saw a record number of billion-dollar disasters in 2023, even when accounting for inflation. The number of long-running heat waves like the Southwest experienced is also rising.

Shuang-Ye Wu, Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, University of Dayton • conversation
Dec. 19, 2023 • ~9 min

Human trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation: the 'loss and damage' from climate change a fund will not compensate

Though hard to quantify, the social consequences of climate change are vast.

Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson, Associate Professor in Policy and Intersectionality, UCL & Honorary Senior Researcher, United Nations University • conversation
Dec. 12, 2023 • ~8 min

Most investors aren't paying attention to climate risks – the financial system needs to change

Investors seem not to care about climate risks, but they really should.

Matt Burke, WTW Research Fellow, University of Oxford • conversation
Dec. 11, 2023 • ~7 min

Don't applaud the COP28 climate summit's loss and damage fund deal just yet – here's what's missing

The agreement still leaves many unanswered questions, as well as concerns from vulnerable countries about who will qualify, who pays and who is in charge.

Shannon Gibson, Associate Professor of International Relations and Environmental Studies, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences • conversation
Dec. 6, 2023 • ~8 min

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