WORLD WEATHER ATTRIBUTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management)

Context: A new study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) has linked the devastating Typhoon Gaemi, which swept through the Philippines, Taiwan and China in July 2024, to global climate change.

World Weather Attribution (WWA) Group

• About: It is a global alliance of climate researchers who swiftly assess extreme weather incidents to ascertain climate change's potential influence.
• Founded: It was formed in 2015 by Dr Geert Jan van Oldenborgh and Dr Friederike Otto.
• Objective: To offer timely and scientifically rigorous data regarding the correlation between extreme weather events and climate change.
• Partnership of: Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford (ECI) Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environment (LSCE).

Key Points of Study

• Temperature Rise: Fossil fuel combustion has increased global temperatures by 1.2°C, contributing to climate change effects like extreme rainfall.
• Regional Changes: Rainfall in Hunan and Taiwan has increased by 9% and 14% respectively due to climate change.
• Probability Increase: The chance of heavy rainfall in Hunan and Taiwan has risen by 60% due to rising global temperatures.
• Projected Frequency: A 2°C rise in global temperatures could make devastating typhoon rainfall events 30-50% more frequent in these regions.
• Severe Effects: Typhoon Gaemi brought high wind speeds and extreme rainfall, leading to widespread damage and significant loss of life.