Hisashi Nakamura, a professor at the climate science laboratory at the University of Tokyo. Record-breaking rains last week in Japan's southernmost main island, which at least killed 62, have shown the vulnerability of elderly people. Fears of the coronavirus may discourage older residents from leaving their homes, even when it is dangerous to stay. And if they do go to evacuation centers, they could be at risk for heatstroke — especially at sites with poor air conditioning — because of the need to wear masks.
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quote of the day
Under the emerging impact of global warming, there is an increasing risk or potential that rainfall amounts could be at a level that we haven’t experienced in the past. So I think that citizens must realize that their previous experience may no longer work. We have to act even earlier or faster than what we have experienced in the past.
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10 Comments
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Paul14
As global warming gathers pace it is guaranteed that such devastating rainy seasons, as just hit kyushu, will almost certainly become more frequent. Therefore, the government needs to ban all rebuilding on the flood plains and move all those towns currently situated on the flood plain to much higher ground. This will incur high upfront costs but it's the only way that old and vulnerable people can be truly protected. In the long term it will also save lives and money as those new towns built on higher ground will no longer be flooded. Of course, allowance will also have to be made for landslides and slopes stabilized.
Jimizo
I’d like to see these too.
No links to conspiracy theorists. Peer reviewed papers, please.
We can then switch to the ‘bought and paid for’ line of argument.
rainyday
OK, show us the scientific papers warning us of global cooling then.
Raw Beer
Who is using that line? There are now scientists warning us of global cooling.
Vince Black
Yawn... yeah ok, “climate change” add that to the list of things
rainyday
I wonder when people will stop screaming that stupid and misleading "Some scientists made a mistake about ice ages 50 years ago therefore all scientists are wrong about everything" line whenever they want to derail a discussion about climate change.
doggar
Too little too late captain Obvious! We were warned about this 30 years ago.
Toasted Heretic
Developing nations are already feeling the catastrophic effects of climate change. Unlike the pandemic, it's something that we've been aware of for quite some time. It takes strong leadership and activism to bring about change, before it's too late.
Raw Beer
Yeah, weather changes... be afraid!
I wonder when they'll start screaming "the ice age is coming" again.
kohakuebisu
The quote makes a lot of sense, the weather has changed, so do not be complacent and rely on outdated expectations about how hot it can be or how much it can rain, but the comment below tacks on all kinds of whataboutery that diminishes the expert's warning. People might resist evacuation because the evacuation center might make them wear a mask? In an emergency, people need to act to protect their lives. Comfort etc. is secondary.