The 2005 North Atlantic hurricane season was the most active in recorded history, and caused an unprecedented level of damage. We all remember the images from Katrina and Rita--the most destructive of the 2005 hurricanes. Now, in the second major global warming study released today, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has determined:
Global warming accounted for around half of the extra hurricane-fueling warmth in the waters of the tropical North Atlantic in 2005, while natural cycles were only a minor factor.
… The study contradicts recent claims that natural cycles are responsible for the upturn in Atlantic hurricane activity since 1995. It also adds support to the premise that hurricane seasons will become more active as global temperatures rise.
Last year, sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic “were a record 1.7° F above the 1901-1970 average.”
Previous studies had indicated that the increase in hurricane activity was largely due to a 60-to-80-year natural cycle in sea-surface temperatures. But according to the study released today, less than .2° F of the rise was due to this natural cycle. Global warming, on the other hand, caused roughly half (about 0.8° F) of the rise--more than any other factor.
Yet more proof that global warming is a real and serious problem--a problem which we have a moral obligation to combat. If you havn't already done so, I urge you to watch Al Gore's new movie "An Inconvenient Truth" and join the effort to fight for our environment.
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