Damien Carrington, the Guardian's Environment editor reports on a new study into worldwide climate whiplash and climate flipping.
ARTICLE SUMMARY
A recent study reveals that climate whiplash is impacting major cities globally, causing drastic shifts between extreme wet and dry conditions. Looking at over 100 cities, the report found that more than 90% are experiencing significant changes, with cities from Madrid to Cairo, Shanghai to Dallas, Hong Kong to Melbourne affected.
These climate extremes lead to severe consequences, including worsened floods and droughts, which threaten clean water, sanitation, and food supplies, displacing communities and spreading diseases. Vulnerable cities, particularly in low-income regions, struggle with inadequate infrastructure to cope with these changes.
Researchers Katerina Michaelides and Michael Singer emphasize the need for urgent collective action to enhance resilience against climate impacts. They highlight that even slight temperature increases can significantly raise the risk of disasters.
Addressing these challenges is essential for protecting the lives of billions in urban areas worldwide.