Study confirms that rising ocean temps mean more intense hurricanes
A major new study in Science confirms the findings of previous studies: rising ocean temperatures are the primary factor behind stronger, more intense hurricanes in the last few decades. Since 1970, global sea-surface temperatures have risen by 1 degree Fahrenheit, while the yearly number of Category 4 or 5 hurricanes has doubled, it shows. The new study also posits that higher temperatures may lead to a greater number of hurricanes in the North Atlantic basin. Of course, this being a climate-change-related study, there is controversy: skeptics cite other natural phenomena like decreased wind shear as factors behind stronger hurricanes. The study doesn't address why the ocean temperature is rising in the first place. We have a little fringe theory about greenhouse gases, but we'll see how it plays out.
source: National Geographic, John Roach, 16 Mar 2006
source: The Guardian, James Randerson, 17 Mar 2006
source: The Wall Street Journal, Valerie Bauerlein, 17 Mar 2006 (access ain’t free)
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