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Claim:
Climate change is a scam, as demonstrated by Florida’s long history with hurricanes, including the 1926 Miami Hurricane.
Fact:
While it is true that Florida has experienced numerous hurricanes since 1851, including the devastating 1926 Miami Hurricane, this does not disprove the impact of climate change. Scientific research shows that climate change intensifies modern hurricanes by increasing ocean temperatures, atmospheric moisture, and sea levels. These changes lead to more severe storms, higher storm surges, and heavier rainfall, even if the total number of hurricanes remains constant. Experts emphasize that human-caused climate change fuels stronger Category 4 and 5 storms, demonstrating that recent hurricanes reflect the growing influence of global warming.
What is the claim saying?
The claim circulating on social media asserts that “climate change is a scam,” suggesting that the occurrence of hurricanes in Florida, including historical storms like the 1926 Miami Hurricane, disproves human-caused climate change. The post sarcastically states that “experts say the last few Florida hurricanes are your fault.” Further, the claim argues that powerful storms are not new and suggests that attributing recent hurricanes in Florida to human activities is misleading.
This article examines the validity of these claims, focusing on hurricane science, historical events, and expert insights to clarify the role of climate change in shaping modern hurricanes.
What we found:
1. Historical Hurricanes: The 1926 Miami Hurricane
It is true that Florida has experienced numerous hurricanes—125 since 1851, with the 1926 Miami Hurricane being one of the deadliest. With winds reaching 150 mph and widespread destruction, it was a reminder of Florida’s vulnerability to severe storms. However, past storms do not invalidate current climate science, which focuses on how rising ocean temperatures, increased atmospheric moisture, and higher sea levels affect the intensity and impacts of hurricanes today.
See the list of Continental United States Hurricane Impacts/Landfalls
1851-2023 here.
Angela Colbert from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory explained Hurricanes need four main ingredients to form and strengthen:
- warm ocean water
- lots of moisture in the air
- low vertical wind shear
- a pre-existing disturbance (e.g., a cluster of thunderstorms)
If any of the four main ingredients changes too much, the storm cannot form or will weaken. Read here
2. The Science: How Climate Change Affects Hurricanes
Climate change does not directly cause hurricanes but amplifies their intensity and leads to more devastating impacts, as emphasized by several experts. Read here and here.
Dr. Karsten Haustein from Leipzig University points out that while the total number of hurricanes is unlikely to increase, stronger Category 4 and 5 storms will become more frequent due to climate change. Rising ocean temperatures allow hurricanes to grow rapidly, making them more dangerous. For instance, Hurricane Milton experienced one of the most rapid intensifications on record, dropping 77 hPa in just 24 hours.
Prof. Richard Allan of the University of Reading highlights that hotter oceans provide energy for stronger storms, leading to increased wind speeds, storm surges, and rainfall. These elements combined result in greater coastal flooding, worsened by rising sea levels.
Dr. Helen Hooker explains that climate change intensifies hurricanes in three ways:
- Warming oceans fuel rapid intensification.
- Rising sea levels increase storm surge risks.
- More moisture in the air leads to heavier rainfall.
Hurricane Milton’s explosive growth was attributed to record-high temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, making it the most rapidly intensifying hurricane since 2005.
3. Recent Florida Hurricanes and Human Influence
Several recent hurricanes in Florida have shown patterns that align with climate change predictions.
Dr. Xiangbo Feng notes that although climate change may not increase the overall frequency of hurricanes, it shifts the intensity toward more powerful storms like Milton, with more frequent Category 4 and 5 hurricanes. Milton’s slow movement across warm waters allowed it to extract additional energy, increasing its destructive potential.
Prof. Tim Palmer emphasizes that the link between climate change and hurricanes is complex, involving interactions between El Niño and La Niña cycles. While these cycles affect the strength of hurricane seasons, warming sea temperatures continue to fuel the development of stronger storms. He advocates for a “CERN for Climate Change” to address unanswered questions about ocean-atmosphere interactions.
4. Misinterpretation of Expert Opinions
The statement that “experts say the last few Florida hurricanes are your fault” misrepresents scientific views. Experts focus on the systemic impact of human activities rather than blaming individuals.
Prof. Ilan Kelman highlights that human-caused climate change is increasing hurricane intensity while reducing their frequency. He also stresses that urban development in high-risk coastal areas worsens disaster vulnerability, demonstrating the need for better long-term preparedness and planning.
Prof. Liz Stephens points out that consecutive hurricanes, such as Milton and Helene, can strain emergency response systems, highlighting the importance of resilient preparedness in the face of climate change. She emphasizes that rising sea levels and increased rainfall will result in more severe impacts.
Prof. Hannah Cloke reminds us that flooding, not wind, often causes the greatest damage during hurricanes. She warns that storm surges, flash floods, and river flooding are growing threats, as emergency planners now focus more on water-related impacts than wind damage.
Prof. John Marsham stresses that even small increases in global temperature drive significant increases in extreme weather events. He warns that consecutive storms, like Milton and Helene, demonstrate the need for rapid cuts in fossil fuel emissions to prevent more devastating future impacts.
Conclusion: Climate Change Is Not a Scam
The fact that Florida has experienced hurricanes for centuries does not disprove the impact of human-caused climate change. Experts agree that rising ocean temperatures, higher sea levels, and increased atmospheric moisture are making hurricanes more intense, destructive, and frequent at higher categories. Hurricanes are natural events, but their intensification due to climate change is scientifically proven.
Dismissing climate change as a scam is not only inaccurate but also dangerous, as it undermines efforts to prepare for and mitigate future risks. Instead, systematic emission reductions and improved disaster preparedness are crucial to safeguarding communities from the increasing threat of extreme weather. As Prof. Allan reminds us, only rapid and decisive action can limit the growing severity of these events.
References:
How climate change is making hurricanes more dangerous
https://wmo.int/media/news/hurricane-milton-threatens-destruction-florida
https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/All_U.S._Hurricanes.html
https://www.hurricanescience.org/history/storms/1920s/GreatMiami
https://www.weather.gov/mob/1926Hurricane
https://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/hurricanes
https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/changes-hurricanes
https://science.nasa.gov/earth/climate-change/a-force-of-nature-hurricanes-in-a-changing-climate
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo
Images/ Maps:
https://science.nasa.gov/earth/climate-change/a-force-of-nature-hurricanes-in-a-changing-climate
Banner Image: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/153440/hurricane-milton-crosses-florida
