Recent extremes on every continent have been made more devastating by the burning of fossil fuels. How do we know? A new branch of science called rapid attribution studies connects the dots.
Scientists estimate climate change made the high sea temperatures that fueled Hurricane Helene 200 to 500 times more likely and caused Helene to have 50 percent more rainfall. Helene struck six states, stretching more than 500 miles inland, flooding towns, destroying roads and bridges, sweeping away homes, and taking more than 230 lives. Climate change also supercharged Hurricane Milton, roughly doubling property damage.
The new “2024 state of the climate report: Perilous times on planet Earth,” authored by some of the world’s top climate scientists, found that 25 of 35 planetary vital signs are now at record extremes.
We have the solutions, but governments are not pursuing them quickly enough. We must do much more, much faster, and more equitably.
Here in California, one key step to tackling the climate crisis is to pass Prop 4. The ballot measure will secure $10 billion to fund sustainable agriculture, wildfire preparedness, clean water, and renewable energy, among other priorities over the next few years. The science is clear, spending more now will save lives and dollars down the road.
The climate crisis is scary AND taking action is the best antidote. Please join me in voting Yes on Prop 4. Click here to learn more.
Every bit of warming prevented and every action we take matters. Thank you for all you do to help secure a climate-safe future!
This blog first appeared in The Climate Center’s bi-weekly newsletter. To keep up with the latest climate news and ways to take action for a climate-safe future, subscribe today!
