Why Recent Disasters in Japan Spells Trouble for Us All
By Madison F.
Whether you believe that climate change is caused by man or naturally occurring, it's hard to deny the earth is getting hotter.
All this has already been seen this past year in Japan and other regions of Asia.
In the beginning of July there was extreme rainfall pounding the citizens. The flooding and landslides lead to over 179 deaths and 70 missing. It is said to have the highest death toll from rainfall since 1982.
On September 4th, 2018, Japan was hit by the strongest typhoon they have had in 25 years. Over 200 people were injured and at least 7 were killed.
George Tselioudis, a researcher at NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, predicts that temperatures around the equator won’t change too much, but the temperatures near the poles will rise. It's believed that these changes in temperature will affect natural disasters and decrease the number of storms we will have. The bad news is that there will be an increase risk of things like drought and storm intensity.
As the temperature around the poles rise, the ice caps and glaciers will continue to melt. This will cause sea levels to rise. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that by 2100 sea levels will rise 0.36 to 2.5 feet. This can lead to an increase in typhoon and hurricane damage as storm surges and flooding can be greater.
All this has already been seen this past year in Japan and other regions of Asia.
Between April 30th-August 5th of 2018, Japanese citizens were faced with a very hot summer which resulted in 70,000 people being rushed to the hospital for heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Tragically 138 citizens did die to the heat-related illnesses. On July 23rd, the heat was so extreme that it resulted in the Meteorological Agency declaring it a natural disaster.
On September 4th, 2018, Japan was hit by the strongest typhoon they have had in 25 years. Over 200 people were injured and at least 7 were killed.
Typhoon Mangkhut blasted through the Philippines with 150mph winds and plowed its way through China. It has been called one of the most powerful storms in decades to hit the area.
What does this mean for me?
Natural disasters are the things of nightmares. They cause buildings to crumble, homes to break, and families are separated. They leave devastation in their wake, and psychological scars that take a long time to heal. After the 1995 Kobe Earthquake, survivors reported to still be psychologically suffering after three years.Natural disasters are unpredictable. They can happen any time and day of the year. They don’t care if your family is together, or if your child is at school. There are some that are relatively short while others last long time, however the damage caused can be devastating.
Depending on the severity of the disaster, it can take a while for relief agencies to help. After the disaster occurs, emergency response lines tend to be busy, and that is why it is important to have a plan in case these resources are unavailable to you.
With the increase of these storms and the dangers they bring, it is vital to be prepared. Natural disasters will come. What will you do to be ready?
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