Connect the Dots: Global Warming & Hurricane Sandy

(Click to See Larger Image) © 2012 Sylvia Liu

It didn't take long for people to wonder whether the freakish Hurricane/Nor'easter Sandy could be linked to global warming.  Here's my take . . . connect the dots.



(By the way, for those who still are arguing about whether global warming is a problem and whether we should do anything about it, check out Greg Craven's 2-minute video, "The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See," which succinctly plays out four potential scenarios in the global warming debate and why doing nothing can lead to the worst possible outcome).

And while we're on the topic, a fun piece I did awhile ago: Snakes Talk About Global Warming

© 2011 Sylvia Liu

Sources for Connect the Dots Graphic:  

Effects of sea level rise and sea surface temperatures on hurricanes:

Brad Plumer, "Yes, Hurricane Sandy is a good reason to worry about climate change," Washington Post, Oct. 29, 2012 (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/10/29/yes-hurricane-sandy-is-a-good-reason-to-worry-about-climate-change/)

Mark Fischetti, "Did Climate Change Cause Hurricane Sandy?" Scientific American, Oct. 30, 2012 (http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2012/10/30/did-climate-change-cause-hurricane-sandy/)

Effects of Arctic ice melt on jet stream:

"Arctic sea ice extent settles at record seasonal minimum," National Snow & Ice Data Center, Sept. 19, 2012 (http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/2012/09/arctic-sea-ice-extent-settles-at-record-seasonal-minimum/)

Andrew Revkin, "The #Frankenstorm in Climate Context," The New York Times, Dot Earth blog, Oct. 28, 2012 (http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/the-frankenstorm-in-climate-context/) (see comment section of article for opposing views)

Mark Fischetti, "Did Climate Change Cause Hurricane Sandy?" Scientific American, Oct. 30, 2012 (http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2012/10/30/did-climate-change-cause-hurricane-sandy/)

Who Has Connected the Dots:

Press release, "North America most affected by increase in weather-related natural catastrophes," Munich Re, Oct. 17, 2012 (http://www.munichre.com/en/media_relations/press_releases/2012/2012_10_17_press_release.aspx)

Mark Fischetti, "Did Climate Change Cause Hurricane Sandy?" Scientific American, Oct. 30, 2012 (http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2012/10/30/did-climate-change-cause-hurricane-sandy/) (list of scientists making the connection)