The connection between human emissions of CO2 and observed changes in the climate is clear, but the consequences and overall extent of these changes can be much harder to pin down. Projections from climate models currently put average warming between 2.2 °C and 3.5 °C by the end of this century (following current emission rates…
As discussed in a previous post, the climate is the long-term average condition of the atmosphere in a specific region. Rare extreme weather events, like intense floods, are a normal part of any area’s climate. Natural variation in weather patterns will generate a certain number of floods of varying magnitudes over time. Understanding the risk of…
Weather and climate are two foundational concepts in understanding climate change. While distinct, their interactions can be confusing. It’s important to consider how their dynamics affect the planet and every aspect of our existence. Both climate and weather are expressed with the same variables; scientists use temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind to describe both. So,…
From municipal and agricultural water supplies to flood management and aquatic ecosystem protection, climate change affects all aspects of water resource management in Texas and across the world. But what is climate change? To understand the why behind what’s happening around us, we need to be familiar with how Earth’s climate functions….