Flooding
Half a million people are at risk of serious flooding every year, and a billion living on coasts will be exposed by 2050.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
“How does climate change affect floods? Well, climate change – driven by the burning of coal, oil and gas – means all today’s weather is occurring in an atmosphere that’s been made warmer, wetter and more energetic. This extra energy, heat and moisture can mean several things:
A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture. In fact, for every degree of warming the atmosphere can hold around 7% more moisture.
More moisture can then mean that more rainfall comes in short, intense downpours. This can increase the risk of flash flooding.
The extra heat in the atmosphere means there’s more energy for weather systems that generate intense rainfall.”
“Climate change is on track to ramp up the annual cost of US flood damage more than 25 percent by 2050, according to new research Monday that warns disadvantaged communities will likely bear the brunt of the financial burden.” - Phys.org
Extreme weather, rising sea levels, devastating floods - The global climate crisis | DW Documentary
China is the world's largest contributor to global warming, but meanwhile China's people are already suffering the brunt of climate change | Associated Press