Recently, the world has been hit with natural disaster after natural disaster. Texas was hit hard by Hurricane Harvey, Florida was hit by Hurricane Irma, Mexico was hit by Hurricane Katia, and Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria. These hurricanes are just a few of the terrible and life-changing natural disasters that have killed and destroyed the lives of many. The question has to be asked; is climate change to blame for the intensity of these disasters?
Hurricane Harvey completely flooded the state, leaving parts of Texas in ruins, as did Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Katia, and Hurricane Maria, just in different locations. Hurricanes are not a new thing in the realm of natural disasters. There have been plenty of devastating hurricanes, but with the increasing intensity of them, climate change is quite likely the culprit. Climate change is the reason behind many of the changes in our climate, such as the warming of the oceans or Michigan’s 90 degree weather in September.
Climate change has been a major topic of discussion in the past several years. With the warming of the global climate, it is not surprising to see this increasing intensity of the hurricanes that are ravaging the world, leaving so many people without homes. Some have even lost their lives because of these disasters. According to The Washington Post, “many researchers have been unequivocal that while hotter oceans, rising seas, and other factors are not the sole cause of any event, the warming climate is contributing to more intense storms and more frequent, more crippling storm surges and flooding.”
Even with the research that shows the truth behind climate change, there are still people who don’t believe it is real. Even with our differing mindsets, many people were still able to come together and help each other after these devastating hurricanes ripped through the homes of many and destroyed what they held dear to their hearts. It’s important to realize that, even when people think differently, we can still come together and lend a hand to help those in need.