What if we could control natural disasters such as hurricanes or hailstorms? It turns out that we cannot stop them, but we can help lower their damaging outcome and intensity. These natural disasters are more intense and damaging than in the past due to climate change and the increase of temperatures. With warmer temperatures, the natural disasters tend to be much more violent. Heavy rainfall events such as hurricanes, hailstorms, and flash floods are extreme precipitation that are consequences of a warmer climate. Warmer air tends to hold more moisture which makes it readily available during storms. With warmer temperatures, some areas tend to be wetter due to rainfalls and hurricanes, while other areas tend to be drier, causing wild forest fires and droughts. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “In total, the events cost $91 billion, of which $73 billion came in three major events: Hurricane Michael ($25 billion) and Florence ($24 billion) and the Western wildfires, which included the Car and Camp fires in California ($24 billion).” Global warming is not only causing damage to the earth, but it is taking a toll on our pockets, causing damage to our properties and vehicles.
https://www.acacamps.org/resource-library/rebuilding-after-natural-disasters
We should be using our money to research, develop, and implement technology to help prevent these disasters from causing such a large impact on land and property. As learned in class, there are many ways we can slow down a tsunami to prevent flooding and damaging areas close to the shoreline. Systems can be placed in the water to absorb the impact that will cause little to no damage to property and humans.
