Summary:
- Climate change made heavy rainfall in Libya up to 50 times more likely, according to scientists.
- Local factors such as poor dam conditions and built infrastructure in floodplains also contributed to the disaster.
- The study warns that building homes on floodplains or using substandard materials remains risky due to climate change.
- Climate change also caused increased rainfall across the Mediterranean, leading to floods in Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
Scientists are pointing to climate change in the aftermath of Libya's deadly floods. On Tuesday, they said it made heavy rainfall in the region up to 50 times more likely.
Climate Change Increases Likelihood of Deadly Floods in Libya
A new study by scientists with the World Weather Attribution has linked climate change to the deadly floods that devastated Libya in September. According to the study, heavy rainfall in the region was made up to 50 times more likely due to the effects of climate change. Two dams were breached in the powerful storm that hit the country, leading to massive flooding in the eastern city of Derna and the deaths of thousands of people. Puerto Rico Auto, a senior lecturer at the Granum Institute for Climate Change, noted that the study found an increase in intensity across all data sets and regions.
Local Factors Also Played a Role
The study also highlighted several other factors that contributed to the disaster. Building homes on floodplains, poor dam conditions, and long-standing armed conflicts all played a part. While the effects of climate change will make it more risky to build in such areas, local factors also need to be considered. The study noted that using substandard materials would also increase the risk of damage during extreme weather events.
Climate Change Increases Mediterranean Rainfall
In addition to the floods in Libya, climate change was also linked to an increase in rainfall in the Mediterranean region. The study found that rainfall amounts in early September increased by up to 40%, leading to deadly floods in Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Extreme weather events like these are expected to become more frequent as climate change worsens, underscoring the need for action to address the root causes of climate change and to mitigate its effects.
Addressing Climate Change Must Be a Priority
The study's findings once again underscore the urgent need for action to mitigate the effects of climate change. The international community must work together to reduce carbon emissions, protect vulnerable communities, and prepare for the impacts of extreme weather events. Additionally, local governments must ensure that infrastructure is resilient and capable of withstanding extreme weather events. With the effects of climate change expected to worsen in the coming years, addressing this global threat must be a priority for all nations.
Meanwhile, climate change also caused up to a 40 percent increase in the amount of rain that fell in early September across the Mediterranean, causing floods that killed dozens in Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey.