From Chile to Colombia to Mexico, Latin America has been battered recently by wildfires, floods and droughts, report Cesar Garcia And Ian James of Associated Press at the Sacramento Bee. While leading climate scientists are unable to pin any single flood or heat wave solely on climate change, experts say the number of extreme weather events is increasing worldwide and the evidence suggests global warming is having an impact. Wildfires are raging in Chile during an atypical heat wave, and northern Mexico is suffering from its worst drought in 70 years of record-keeping. A second straight season of heavy rains in Colombia killed at least 182 people, destroyed more than 1,200 homes and caused an estimated $2 billion in damage in the past four months. While the cyclical cooling of the Pacific Ocean known as La Nina is a big factor, some experts say climate change is likely making some of the severe weather even more pronounced. More wild, unusual weather is predicted in the coming years, and Latin America is especially vulnerable because deforestation and sprawling construction have made the region more susceptible to flooding and landslides.
Source:
Wild weather hits Latin America
Sacramento Bee – 4 hours ago
Researchers predict more wild, unusual weather in the coming years, and they say Latin America is especially vulnerable because deforestation and sprawling …
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/06/4168288/wild-weather-hits-latin-america.html#storylink=cpy
