Climate Change and Sandy

     It is definitely difficult to conclude that climate change could be causing immense storms such as, Hurricane Sandy, but here’s why. Climate change cannot be classified as the sole factor that causes a hurricane or any storm in fact as immense as Hurricane Sandy. However, it can be a contributing factor. Many variables have to be considered when analyzing the reason behind such a large and devastating storm. This statement goes without saying that immense storms are becoming larger due to climate change and science proves it. Scientists have been conservative and drawn back from the issue but more are linking climate change and directing it to immense storms as well as other extreme weather events, ‘such as the warm 2012 winter in the eastern U.S. and the frigid one in Europe at the same time’. Hurricane Sandy intensified due to it coasting up north along the U.S. coast, where the ocean water is still warm at this time of year, causing the storms energy to be increased. With that in mind, the storm strengthened to a high level of cold jet streams from Canada into the eastern U.S. 

* Information obtained at www.scientificamerican.com

* Pictures obtained at www.scientificamerican.com & www.washingtonpost.com

Figure 20.1

 Figure 20.2