International experts, represented by the World Weather Attribution (WWA), analysed significant rainfall and floods in Libya and the Mediterranean. Their results suggest climate change may worsen floods in this susceptible region.
This analysis shows a worrying pattern in the first two weeks of September 2023, when many Mediterranean nations suffered severe rainfall. This rainfall is caused by low-pressure systems that formed around a high-pressure system over the Netherlands.
Heavy rain hit Spain within hours on September 3. Between September 4 and 7, the low-pressure system “Daniel” dumped heavy rain and flooded Greece and Bulgaria.
The worst flood in Libya occurred on September 10 after a heavy rain.
Flooding from these three major rainfall events displaced hundreds, inundated villages, and claimed lives. Four in Bulgaria, six in Spain, seven in Turkey, and 17 in Greece died.
Libya is in crisis, with 3,958 deaths in Derna. Two large dams broke, killing 170 people in different regions of the nation and leaving another 10,000 missing.
Climate Change Research Collaboration
Researchers from Greece, the US, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK worked together to determine how human-induced climate change affects the frequency and severity of heavy rainfall episodes that caused these deadly floods.
The study team examined two locations to assess climate change’s impact on heavy rainfall and floods. They first examined Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey, which were hit worst by the “Daniel” storm, which brought four days of constant rain to land.
The researchers next examined Libya’s smaller region’s maximum annual one-day rainfall. The majority of the intense rain landed here, causing devastating floods in Derna and its surroundings.
The researchers did not investigate climate change’s influence in Spain. In their World Weather Attribution (WWA) release, they explained that the rainfall happened below 24 hours.
Understanding Climate Change’s Impact on Extreme Weather
World Weather Attribution (WWA) study shows the growing relationship between climate change and severe weather. These data show that climate change increases the probability and intensity of weather occurrences, yet pinpointing one to the cause is difficult.
Climate change is causing more severe and prolonged rains. Rising global temperatures increase evaporation and moisture retention, causing severe rains and floods.
The unprecedented rains and devastating floods in the Mediterranean and Libya are proof of climate change’s effects. And then, these catastrophic events ruin lives and economies, emphasising the need to fight climate change globally.
Reduce Climate Change Damage
The study paper emphasises the necessity for proactive climate change mitigation strategies to reduce catastrophic weather occurrences. Addressing these situation requires global coordination and commitment, but states and people may take steps to lessen their vulnerability:
Resilience: Governments should invest in infrastructure and policy to withstand harsh weather. Moreover, this includes drainage improvements, flood defence fortification, and early warning systems.
Sustainable Practises: Reducing glasshouse gas emissions and switching to renewable energy are key to combating these problem. And then, countries must prioritise sustainability in transportation, agriculture, and energy.
Extreme weather occurrences should be prepared for by local communities. Furthermore, this includes creating evacuation plans, guaranteeing emergency supplies, and raising climate change awareness.
International Collaboration: These situation requires global cooperation. And then, to cut emissions, adapt to changing circumstances, and help vulnerable areas, nations must cooperate.
To conclude
The recent floods in Libya and the Mediterranean shows the devastation caused by severe weather and climate change. As these catastrophes grow more frequent and intense, countries and people must take action to address climate change and create resilience.
The World Weather Attribution (WWA) consortium’s study emphasises the need for worldwide efforts to reduce glasshouse gas emissions, switch to sustainable energy, and adapt to a warming globe. Finally, we can mitigate climate change and protect vulnerable people from severe weather occurrences through global action and a commitment to climate mitigation.
