The hurricane problem 3

A group of 10 scientists who've disagreed with one another in the past about the influence of climate change on hurricanes has come out with a collective statement saying that the media is obsessing over the climate debate at the expense of the more immediate truth, about which there is widespread consensus: vulnerable places are being overdeveloped, and the U.S. government is subsidizing it.

We are optimistic that continued research will eventually resolve much of the current controversy over the effect of climate change on hurricanes. But the more urgent problem of our lemming-like march to the sea requires immediate and sustained attention. We call upon leaders of government and industry to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of building practices, and insurance, land use, and disaster relief policies that currently serve to promote an ever-increasing vulnerability to hurricanes.

Needed to be said.

Here are the signers:

Kerry Emanuel
Richard Anthes
Judith Curry
James Elsner
Greg Holland
Phil Klotzbach
Tom Knutson
Chris Landsea
Max Mayfield
Peter Webster

David Roberts is staff writer for Grist. You can follow his Twitter feed at twitter.com/drgrist.

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  1. ffletcher Posted 8:15 pm
    24 Jul 2006

    Would This Be Advocating Adaptation?It would seem that these learned people are advocating a strategy of adaptation, not living in harm's way of global warming related events, while simply assuming that everything will work out, eventually.
    I tend to agree with them, at least when I am my optimistic self.  It is important that we adapt so that people are not hurt or needlessly disposed of their housing.  While I believe this strategy will be as self-evident as seeking cover in a storm, I am not at this time certain what we might do to get out of harm's way.  I suspect moving back to New Orleans or investing in rental property there might be a sample of those questions that we should seriously consider before acting.

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  2. kmp Posted 3:11 am
    25 Jul 2006

    not adaptationSimply common sense.
    Scores of scientists and engineers had warned of the threat to New Orleans long before climate change was seriously considered, and a Katrina-like storm or worse was (and is) inevitable even in a stable climate.
    I grew up in an island town on Cape Ann, Massachusetts.  Every year someone's summer home, originally built too close to the ocean, would get washed away in a winter storm.  Every year someone would be rebuilding in the same damn spot. The locals would just shake their heads.
    I am reminded of Sam Kinnison's "You live in a desert! Go where the food is!" Some things were obviously doomed long before global warming reared it's pesky head.

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  3. Warren Posted 8:12 am
    25 Jul 2006

    Miami: the New New OrleansHurricane risk has to be the highest threat people in the U.S. now face in terms of probability and severity, particularly with increased hurricane frequency predicted the next 10-20 years. Add to that rising ocean levels, warmer average ocean water (its 90 degrees in parts of the Gulf off of Louisiana and Texas already) and continued increase of the above because of global warming. So upon that we are to consider the threat of building on the coast in hurricane-prone areas, like Miami, the number one most-at-risk U.S. city for natural catastrophe, according to a ranking our organization released last week (http://www.sustainlane.com) It all sounds like a 1970s disaster movie, except far more over the top.

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