Experts issue urgent warning on dangerous phenomenon that threatens entire Pacific region: 'We are fast running out of time'
A new report reveals how unprecedented ocean warming in the Southwest Pacific led to devastating consequences.
Last year, the SW Pacific showed an unusual warming pattern - due to El Nino.
Heat & acification are damaging marine ecosystems; an Indonesian glacier is set to disappear; the Philippines suffered thru record hurricane activity; Fiji, New Zealand & Australia are flooding due to heavy rain & sea level rise.
Extreme weather is becoming more frequent & severe in this part of the Pacific Rim.
The Philippines was hit by 12 cyclones - in just 3 months!! That's 2X more than usual! 1.4 million people ended up being displaced during these huge storms.
Western New Guinea is expecting a glacier to completely disappear - by 2026!
Fuji's climate adaptations failed last year!!
Their seawalls & mangroves were overrun by erosion & rising sea levels.
In the Philippines, the cyclones alone cost $430 million in damages to homes, crops & infrastructure.
All of this is the result of the human use of dirty energy: coal, oil & gas. Burning these substances produces pollution that traps heat in the atmosphere.
Some 90% of this heat is absorbed by the oceans - which then warm up & expand...
Folk who live in low lying places face difficult decisions about staying in high risk areas - or, relocating...
We can help just by learning about climate solutions, changing our grocery & clothing shopping habits & electrifying our homes - all moves that save us money.
So, the choice is ours...
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