Hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons have been an increasingly common natural disasters that plague countries such as the Philippines, China, and Japan. Climate change, especially in recent years has been a contributing factor in the amount and severity of typhoon's, and typhoon adjacent storms these areas. In light of typhoon and monsoon seasons in recent years, climate change activists both within and outside of these impacted regions of the world work to inform and take action against the soon to be irreversible damages that the current climate crisis are drawing us nearer to.
Tropical Storms and Climate Change's Impact
In an article posted by BBC it is discussed by Mark Poynting a Cambridge academic and BBC Climate Researcher residing in the United Kingdom how tropical cyclones have slowed over time, causing more rainfall to cover small areas quicker as well as warmer temperatures increasing the rate at which the ocean is warming and as a result, later increasing wind speeds.
Activism in Response to Typhoons in the Philippines
Those who are passionate about climate activism were quick to jump into action after the storm entitled Haiyan. Two activist accounts stuck out, especially one of a survivor of the Typhoon Haiyan. Her name being Joanna Sustento. Sustento was a leader of a protest outside of Shell in the Phillippines, where she calls for the cease of, or at least reduction of fossil fuel use in the modern industry. Sustento also turns to Greenpeace, a collection of non-profit organizations focused on preserving planet earth to give commentary on her beliefs surrounding climate change and fossil fuel companies responsibility in the issue stating "We need to hold companies accountable for fueling climate change and raise the alarm for climate justice" Sustento said.
Similar to the values Sustento displays, a collaboration between Unicef and Fridays for Future a global movement first started in Sweden but has made its way across our planet. A video posted on YouTube showcases Mizi explaining the damages caused by the tropical storms and typhoons in the Philippines as well as the work she completed as a climate activist both learning about climate change impacts and assisting in the recovery on those fending on little in the wake of these storms. Mizi stood alongside fellow communal voices as did Sustento during her protest directed towards Shell. Most notably, responses to tropical storms that I've observed within this region require a lot of communal cooperation and willpower to pull together protests, groups of individuals to repair and cook, and clean for those who underwent severe flooding and structural damage to their homes and businesses.
In areas where climate change is not accelerating the fire our society attempts to harness, it has begun to accelerate flooding and has already destroyed vast landmasses, structures, and homes. When keeping the progression of climate change in mind, without further action it is likely we will see a steady increase in these tropical events and in less likely places. Hopefully with the right minds and enough cooperation, this climate change driven weather trend can be stopped or at least altered slightly.
I had no idea that the slowing of typhoons cause more rainfall and warmer temperature. Sustento is a very brave and empowering individual, to survive a typhoon and use her experiences to try and help aim for better is incredible. Very well written. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad world right now that the world is ripping itself and us apart and we cannot see it. Or maybe we do see it and do not care enough to change our ways. I read in class recently that the warmth required to create a hurricane was confined to a few degrees north and south of the equator, but with warming temps it the surface area of warm air/water needed has increased meaning more area to create hurricanes. I too would like to think the right minds are out there to fix our mess!
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot about typhoons and other natural disasters, but I agree that big business need to pay for the damage that they cause to the Earth. I'm glad that after disasters, there a still activists standing up for what's right and are making a difference like Sustento.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sad reality. In some areas they're experiencing tropical storms and flooding whereas other areas are experiencing fires and extreme heat waves.
ReplyDeleteI found this a good blog to read after having read our short stories. All four of the short stories involved a storm; tsunami, hurricane, or typhoons. Certainly there are implications.
ReplyDeleteThe stories of individuals like Joanna Sustento and Mizi demonstrate the power of grassroots action and community resilience in confronting immediate crisis and the larger issue of climate change.
ReplyDeleteIt's always so motivating to read about all these stories of activism and climate change protests. Especially seeing the images of them acting and working for the future for change. Without activists making these changes and protests we are more likely to see pollution and damage continuously being done to the environment.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping people will listen more to a survivor of natural disaster if not the scientists. The damage caused by tropical storms in these countries is insurmountable. It is so difficult to rebuild and cope with the trauma. I am so glad there are brave people willing to share their stories and advocate for a reduction in fossil fuel usage worldwide. It isn't impacting one thing, it is an infinite spiral of damage.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what sort of response Shell had to these demonstrations? I wouldn't suspect they'd be particularly amiable, but I always wonder how they react to public pressure.
ReplyDeleteWe are already seeing the impacts of climate change and how it is destroying people’s lives. It is good to see local activist advocating that this is a serious problem.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing photo! I wonder if it is possible to make the necessary changes with our climate before large portions of the world’s population or even just here in the U.S. need to be relocated to safer areas. It seems like relocating cities is just as much of a priority as preventing the increase in global temperatures.
ReplyDeleteTropical storms, cyclones, and hurricanes are all getting wetter due to the increased air temperatures around the tropics. Warmer air is able to hold more moisture before it dumps it in the form of rain or snow.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally- weird as it sounds- airborne microplastics also may affect atmospheric water retention. The microplastics act as a 'nucleus' for a raindrop or snowflake to form around and may facilitate formation of larger drops/flakes. (I recommend looking this up, it's a recent finding and I may be getting smth wrong.)
We need to make steps towards making our coastal communities flood resistant to be sure.
These extreme weather events are devastating, and it is frustrating that despite their increase in severity and destruction, people still ignore these events as a product of climate change. The amount of lives, money, and homes that are lost as a result of continual human activity requires cooperative implications by those responsible for destroying it, including necessary climate actions.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post in particular because I do not have much knowledge about hurricanes and typhoons that have resulted from the increase in our global temperature. I thought it was interesting to learn that the slowing of cyclones resulted in more concentrated rainfall in smaller areas.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to read about what other countries are doing that we in the US are not. I am interested to see how these weather events are changed in the coming years. It is so sad to hear and see the devastation created by these events.
ReplyDeleteHotter and higher oceans means more devastating damages by storms for people who live in coastal or island areas near the equator. It's absolutely essential to make our voices heard so that mitigation efforts can be carried out in an equitable manner.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard sustentos story before but I must say they are an incredible person and I am all for the idea of haveing big companies pay for the damages they cause with climate change maybe after they pay those bills they will realize destroying the earth is not a good idea
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you drawing attention to the link between tropical storms and climate change and the excellent activism that has been shown in reaction to these events. It is true that climate change is causing hurricanes, typhoons, and monsoons to occur more frequently and with greater severity; the effects are made worse by slower storm motions and warmer water temperatures.
ReplyDeleteBefore this post I did not know much about the science behind typhoons or how climate change can exacerbate them but it sounds likely that if global temperatures keep rising the problem will only get worse. I am curious to hear what other patterns are affected this much by climate change, I have seen lots of research about wildfires and winter weather becoming more intense but not much on other weather phenomenon's.
ReplyDeleteI did not know very much about climate disasters like typhoons before reading this post and it helps highlight the way that climate change intensifies extreme weather. Highlighting stories like Susteno's is important in understanding what people can and are doing to fight and protest the climate crisis.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! This was so informative, and I was surprised to see that these disasters are only getting worse by the damage we've done. People say that we have a certain amount of time before the damage is irreversible, but I am afraid we might already be there. With all the facts we are coming to know, some of the things that should be helping, aren't capable of doing the things they need to do because other things are being affected by it as well.
ReplyDeleteTyphoon Haiyan was a tremendous storm. Nederev Sano, the Phillipino representative to the 2013 COP gave an unforgetable speech on the topic, and he then emerged as a world leading climate activist. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f0yjIj0Pxw
ReplyDeleteClimate change-driven tropical storms and typhoons, like those in the Philippines, are intensifying, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to hold corporations accountable and mitigate further environmental damage.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Kat! I love how you connect climate change to stronger storms and activism. Joanna and Mizi’s efforts are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteAre tropical cyclones slowing down in other regions too? And are there policies holding fossil fuel companies accountable?