Foundations Reading 10A

Chap 19

Reading 10A WILD WEATHER In late June 2018, the weather forecast for western Japan predicted heavy rain, but no one was prepared for what was to come. By mid-July, large areas were flooded. Some areas received over 100 centimeters of rain. Cars and trucks floated down the streets. Whole buildings were washed away. At least 225 people died, and millions had to leave their homes. Changing Weather The weather is changing. Over the last few years, heavy rains have caused floods in many parts of the world. There have been droughts in Brazil and Australia. Heat waves in Europe have killed thousands. There have been more hurricanes and tornadoes, and they have struck with more power than ever before. In 2017 alone, the financial cost from weather events around the world was 340 billion dollars.

Warmer and Wetter As more wild weather events happen, people are asking questions: What is happening with the weather? And why? Is this natural, or are we to blame? The answer seems to be: a little of both. Wild weather is natural. But most scientists agree human activity has made the Earth warmer. This global warming makes heat waves more likely. The higher temperatures also cause more water to enter the air. This causes heavier and more frequent rain. Many scientists also believe global warming makes hurricanes and other storms stronger. This means we're likely to see more wild weather. "[But] we don't have to just stand there and take it," says scientist Michael Oppenheimer. He and other experts say we need to stop the Earth from getting warmer. We also need to be prepared, to do things that will help save lives.

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