Climate crisis refers to the change occurring in the world's existing climate system. Issues such as the use of non-renewable energy sources, uncontrolled urbanization, deforestation, and unregulated activities in the industrial sector lead to an extraordinary increase in carbon emissions into the atmosphere. The accumulated carbon gas prevents sunlight from reaching the Earth's surface, trapping it in the atmosphere and causing an increase in global temperatures worldwide. We can say that increased temperatures directly or indirectly affect many of the natural disasters that have occurred in recent years. So, how can there be a connection between the climate crisis and natural disasters?

Heatwaves

The climate crisis causes the extreme temperature waves we are witnessing today. The extraordinary rise in temperatures threatens human health. Simultaneously, it causes drought on one side and fires in forested areas on the other. Both excessive temperatures and fires damage agriculture and ecosystems, affecting water sources and threatening natural life. This seemingly isolated event of increased temperatures is, in fact, directly or indirectly connected to many critical issues.

Drought

Today, the water level in Istanbul's dams is half as much as last year. Unfortunately, this is not only true for Istanbul. Both a rainless autumn-winter period and increased temperatures extend and intensify drought periods by increasing the water vapor transport capacity. The reduction of water not only endangers food and nutrition due to decreased agricultural production but also harms the entire ecosystem by causing water scarcity.

Forest Fires

The recent fires in Çanakkale, Antakya, Muğla, and many more within just a month... We experience the same thing every summer. Hot and dry weather conditions accelerate the formation of forest fires. Increased temperatures make materials that could be flammable (such as glass) ignite more easily, facilitating the spread of fires. While forest fires destroy the natural ecosystem on one hand, they trigger the climate crisis by increasing carbon gas emissions on the other.

Extreme Rainfall and Floods

The climate crisis, on the one hand, increases drought in some regions of the world, and on the other hand, it increases the occurrence frequency of heavy rainfall events in other regions. The saturation of the soil and the decrease in water-holding capacities increase the risk of floods. Extraordinary rainfall and floods negatively affect both agricultural and residential areas.

Sea Level Rise

Increased temperatures lead to faster melting of ice caps in polar regions, causing sea levels to rise in many places. Due to rising sea levels, many cities like Amsterdam, Venice, New Orleans will be underwater in the coming years. Additionally, the rise in sea levels increases the frequency of floods in coastal areas.

Storms and Hurricanes

Above-average temperatures trigger the formation of hurricanes, storms, and extreme weather conditions. For example, very recently, on July 20, 2023, in Italy, hail the size of apples fell due to the influence of a storm. Unfortunately, this won't be the first or last natural disaster news we'll read.

In conclusion, many of the natural disasters we are experiencing today are indirectly or directly related to the climate crisis. Due to increased temperatures caused by the climate crisis, the natural disasters that occur have significant effects on people, the natural ecosystem, and the economy. Therefore, being aware of climate change today, reducing carbon emissions, implementing sustainable policies across all sectors are critical measures to minimize these effects and leave a more livable world for the future.

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