CLIMATIC WHIPLASHES
By now we recognise it, every day is a face-to-face with the climate crisis. Internationally, it is described as the most urgent challenge of our time, an awareness supported by unequivocal scientific data. However, we struggle to react and much remains to be done to develop and implement effective response strategies. In this column, we aim to analyse the impacts of climate extremes and discuss practical solutions to deal with them. Let us begin with one of the most worrying aspects, which has recently taken on a very effective definition: ‘climate whiplashes‘, or those sudden and dramatic changes in weather and climate conditions, from one extreme to another, that are becoming increasingly frequent. Such events are not only a significant and highly impactful weather phenomenon, but have direct consequences on society, the economy, public health, biodiversity and urban ecosystems.
What are Climate Whiplashes?
Climate Whiplashes are rapid and drastic changes in weather conditions. Imagine a region going from a period of extreme drought to devastating floods in a matter of days (after the terrible drought of 2022, Emilia Romagna was overwhelmed by historic flooding in May 2023), or from an unbearable heat wave to sudden snowstorms. Global warming of the earth’s atmosphere is the main culprit for this extreme. Rising temperatures alter atmospheric and oceanic patterns, making extreme weather events more likely, challenging communities, infrastructure and ecosystems, striking at the heart of our civil protection system and greatly reducing our ability to adapt.
Examples of Climate Whiplashes
California is a case in point: in recent years, the state has experienced long periods of drought followed by torrential rains and flooding. The drought has contributed to devastating forest fires, which in turn have made the land more susceptible to landslides during heavy rains. Remaining in the US, we find Texas where, during the extreme cold wave that hit in February 2021, freezing temperatures and snowstorms caused severe power outages, leaving millions of people without heating in extreme conditions; only a few months earlier, Texas had experienced record summer heat. Even Europe is not immune to these extremes. In recent summers, we have seen an alternation between extreme heat waves and heavy cloudbursts or terrible hailstorms. This not only causes hardship to the population, but also puts a strain on agriculture and water resources.
Impacts of climate extremes
The impacts are multiple and profound, affecting various sectors of society. Given the imminent summer period, we could start by mentioning the tourism sector, which is directly affected by devastating events that can destroy infrastructure, and indirectly through a reduction in visitor flows, with significant economic losses and negative effects on local communities.
Extreme weather is one of the main problems in the agricultural sector. Crops can be damaged by prolonged droughts followed by heavy rainfall, causing – for example – soil erosion and loss of crops. This not only affects food security, but also increases costs for farmers.
Biodiversity and natural ecosystems are also extremely vulnerable to rapid and extreme changes in climate. Fauna and flora, which have adapted to specific climatic conditions, may not be able to survive sudden changes. This leads to a loss of biodiversity, with species becoming extinct or being forced to migrate.
Cities, with their complex infrastructure, are highly vulnerable. Floods can damage transport networks and homes, while heat waves can put a strain on energy and health systems. Coastal cities, in particular, face the double risk of floods and storms, endangering millions of inhabitants.
Last but not least, we mention public health, which is seriously threatened by increasingly extreme weather. Heat waves can cause heat stroke and increase mortality, while floods can contaminate water supplies and spread disease. Extreme events can also cause psychological stress and trauma in affected populations. We will address all these issues in our new column.
Let’s talk about how to build solutions
Addressing the climate crisis requires a combination of adaptation and mitigation. Communities must invest in resilient infrastructure and develop effective contingency plans. In parallel, it is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit further climate change. This includes the transition to renewable energy, the protection of forests and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. There is no single solution, but many systemised solutions that can apply everything we know – including about climate whiplash – for a safer and more sustainable present and future.
Understanding and addressing these extremes is essential to protect our communities and their rights, cities, forests, the sea, tourism, agriculture, the economy, biodiversity, physical and mental health. There is nothing that is not related to our climate, let’s start from here to make it less extreme and not get hurt by those whiplash impacts that are just too hard to bear.
Article by Serena Giacomin, Climatologist and President Italian Climate Network
The article is produced for Cinema e Ambiente Avezzano and funded by the film production company The Factory.