Fact Check: "Extreme rainfall is not correlated with emissions."
What We Know
The claim that "extreme rainfall is not correlated with emissions" contradicts a significant body of scientific research indicating a clear relationship between human-induced emissions and the intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall events. Studies have shown that as global temperatures rise due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, the intensity of extreme rainfall events is expected to increase. For instance, a study published by researchers from MIT and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology found that extreme rain events in most regions of the world are projected to increase in intensity by 3 to 15 percent for every degree Celsius of warming, with some regions experiencing even greater increases (MIT News).
Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tracks heavy precipitation events and has reported that the frequency of such events has been increasing, which is consistent with the impacts of climate change driven by emissions (EPA). A comprehensive review of extreme weather events also highlights the link between human-induced climate change and the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme precipitation events (Ummenhofer & Meehl).
Analysis
The assertion that there is no correlation between extreme rainfall and emissions lacks support from credible scientific literature. The studies referenced provide robust evidence that links rising emissions to increased extreme rainfall. For example, the research from MIT indicates that the most extreme rain events are expected to intensify significantly as global temperatures rise, which is a direct consequence of human emissions (MIT News).
Moreover, a 2019 study published in Nature found that extreme precipitation events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity as global temperatures rise, further supporting the connection between emissions and extreme weather (Myhre et al.). Another recent study indicated that human emissions are responsible for the observed intensity of daily rainfall extremes across the United States, reinforcing the idea that emissions play a crucial role in influencing extreme rainfall patterns (Nanditha et al.).
While it is true that attributing individual extreme weather events to climate change can be complex due to various contributing factors, the overall trend shows a clear correlation between emissions and the increasing severity of extreme rainfall events. The reliability of the sources cited is high, as they are peer-reviewed studies published in reputable scientific journals and reports from established organizations like the EPA.
Conclusion
The claim that "extreme rainfall is not correlated with emissions" is False. Extensive scientific research demonstrates a clear and significant correlation between human-induced emissions and the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall events. The evidence from multiple studies supports the conclusion that as emissions rise, so too does the severity of extreme weather, including rainfall.
Sources
- Extreme weather and climate events with ecological relevance ...
- Varied Increases in Extreme Rainfall with Global Warming
- Climate Change Indicators: Heavy Precipitation | US EPA
- Frequency of extreme precipitation increases extensively ...
- Rarest rainfall events will see the greatest relative increase ...
- Strong Linkage Between Observed Daily Precipitation ...
- Influence of extreme rainfall events on soil carbon release ...