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This article was provided and updated on July 9, 2008, at 18:15.
Several experts warned on July 1 that climate change will increase the frequency of storms, with severity akin to the severe floods caused by storms in the Midwest of the United States. However, as current government flood predictions and home insurance plans do not account for climate change, residents in the Midwest face uncertainty when threatened by floods.
Amanda Staudt, a climate scientist at the National Wildlife Federation, stated, "Although a single climate event cannot be attributed to global warming, it is essential to understand that a warming climate has indeed been fostering an environment conducive to various climate events."
Staudt also mentioned that since the late 1960s, the number of heavy rain events in the Midwest has increased by 20%, and intense storms that used to occur approximately every 20 years may now occur every 5 years.
"The subsequent issues arising from global warming are gradually emerging, with more frequent and severe floods being one example," Staudt said in a telephone interview. "As the climate continues to warm and air humidity increases, triggering more intense climate events will become a trend."
According to U.S. officials, the Midwest has experienced two contemporary 100-year floods in the past 35 years, with the floods in 1993 and the most recent one being equivalent to 500-year floods.
Nicholas Pinter, a geologist and flood researcher at Southern Illinois University, said, "Looking at the data and the extent of the disasters, these numbers are not reasonable, indicating a deficiency in government flood predictions."
"These events are not random," Pinter said. "We are gradually identifying a regular pattern of flood occurrences, which are more severe and frequent than estimated."
Pinter stated, "Because assessments are based on historical records, flow rates, and river elevations, government agencies have consistently underestimated the threat of floods."
"The latest research led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assumes that the natural environment has remained unchanged from the past to the present."
Pinter told reporters, "The study overlooks many factors, such as the increased threats from global warming, significant changes in land use, new levee constructions, and river diversions to reduce navigation difficulties."
Pinter explained that while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has considered the benefits of reduced potential floods due to dam constructions in the Midwest, this has further underestimated the flood threat.
David Conrad, a senior specialist at the National Wildlife Federation, said, "Using incorrect data as the standard for the national home flood insurance program has led to serious consequences."
Source: http:/ / tw. green. charity. yaho……/ feature_article_200804. html
Global Warming Intensifies US Flood Crisis
Several experts warned on July 1 that climate change will increase the frequency of storms, with severity akin to the severe floods caused by storms in the Midwest of the United States. However, as current government flood predictions and home insurance plans do not account for climate change, residents in the Midwest face uncertainty when threatened by floods.
Amanda Staudt, a climate scientist at the National Wildlife Federation, stated, "Although a single climate event cannot be attributed to global warming, it is essential to understand that a warming climate has indeed been fostering an environment conducive to various climate events."
Staudt also mentioned that since the late 1960s, the number of heavy rain events in the Midwest has increased by 20%, and intense storms that used to occur approximately every 20 years may now occur every 5 years.
"The subsequent issues arising from global warming are gradually emerging, with more frequent and severe floods being one example," Staudt said in a telephone interview. "As the climate continues to warm and air humidity increases, triggering more intense climate events will become a trend."
According to U.S. officials, the Midwest has experienced two contemporary 100-year floods in the past 35 years, with the floods in 1993 and the most recent one being equivalent to 500-year floods.
Nicholas Pinter, a geologist and flood researcher at Southern Illinois University, said, "Looking at the data and the extent of the disasters, these numbers are not reasonable, indicating a deficiency in government flood predictions."
"These events are not random," Pinter said. "We are gradually identifying a regular pattern of flood occurrences, which are more severe and frequent than estimated."
Pinter stated, "Because assessments are based on historical records, flow rates, and river elevations, government agencies have consistently underestimated the threat of floods."
"The latest research led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assumes that the natural environment has remained unchanged from the past to the present."
Pinter told reporters, "The study overlooks many factors, such as the increased threats from global warming, significant changes in land use, new levee constructions, and river diversions to reduce navigation difficulties."
Pinter explained that while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has considered the benefits of reduced potential floods due to dam constructions in the Midwest, this has further underestimated the flood threat.
David Conrad, a senior specialist at the National Wildlife Federation, said, "Using incorrect data as the standard for the national home flood insurance program has led to serious consequences."
Source: http:/ / tw. green. charity. yaho……/ feature_article_200804. html