This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
UCLA Study Links Human-Driven Climate Change To Extreme Rain And Snow
Workers assess the scene where a section of Highway 1 collapsed into the Pacific Ocean near Big Sur, California on January 31, 2021. Heavy rains caused debris flows of trees, boulders and mud that washed out a 150-foot section of the road.
(
JOSH EDELSON
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Scientists at UCLA have confirmed a link between human-driven climate change and extreme precipitation.
Previous studies suggested a connection between rising greenhouse gas emissions and stronger, more frequent rain and snow events, but researchers struggled to find direct evidence.
As a solution, UCLA researchers developed a computer system capable of finding and identifying subtle patterns in weather data from around the world.
Alex Hall, the director of the UCLA Center for Climate Science and co-author of the study, said the patterns match up with climate models.
“The models are predicting that this signal should become evident somewhere in the early 2000s, and that is in fact when we see it emerging in the observations as well,” he said. “So there's a nice match between what the models are predicting and what we actually observe in the observational record.”
The study also shows that extreme rain and snow storms are now more likely around the world because of climate change, and emphasized the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions.
The opening line of the study states:
Sponsored message
Extreme precipitation can have devastating direct societal impacts such as flooding, soil erosion, and agricultural damage, as well as causing indirect health risks and impacts.
Read the study: Anthropogenic influence on extreme precipitation over global land areas seen in multiple observational datasets
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
