Climate change behind natural disasters
■ Researchers link floods, fire and even plague to global warming
Singapore, Nov. 14: Extreme floods in Venice, fires in Australia and even an outbreak of plague in China have been attributed to climate change this week, while researchers have warned that global warming could saddle future generations with life-long illness.
Venice declared a state of emergency after “apocalyptic” floods swept through the lagoon city, flooding its historic basilica and inundating squares and centuries-old buildings. “This is the result of climate change,” city mayor Luigi Brugnaro said on Twitter.
City thoroughfares were turned into raging torrents, stone balustrades were shattered, boats tossed ashore and gondolas smashed against their moorings as the lagoon tide peaked at 187 cm.
It was the highest since the record 194 cm set in 1966, but rising water levels are becoming a regular threat to the tourist jewel.
Australia has been ravaged by wild bushfires with communities forced to flee the flames. Air temperatures have also warmed over the past century, increasing the ferocity of droughts and fires. That pits the country against its Pacific island neighbours which are particularly susceptible to warmer temperatures and rising seas.
China reported a rare outbreak of pneumonic plague after two cases were confirmed. The two were infected in the province of Inner Mongolia, where rodent populations have expanded dramatically after persistent droughts, worsened by climate change.
The Lancet medical journal published a study this week saying climate change was already harming people’s health by increasing the number of extreme weather events and exacerbating air pollution. A warmer world brings risks of food shortages, infectious diseases, floods and extreme heat.
If nothing is done, the impacts could burden an entire generation with disease.