Hurricane Irma, category 5, is already considered the most powerful recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. Early on September 6, it hit the Caribbean islands (Barbuda, Saint Bartholomew and Saint Martin) with extreme violence. It goes to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It is possible that it will also reach Cuba and Florida, for which reason a maximum alert was declared.
Winds of up to 295 kilometers per hour have been recorded and it is estimated that it has a diameter (maximum range) of 650 kilometers from the eye of the hurricane. It is also estimated that it has an area of 330 thousand square kilometers.
So that we have an idea, its total area is similar to the province of Buenos Aires. It is also a little smaller than Spain, but larger than Ecuador and Uruguay.
Climate change and hurricanes
The magnitude of the damage caused by Irma so far has made it clear to the scientific community that climate change has made natural disasters worse.
Although the storm was not specifically caused by climate change, hurricanes get their energy from the heat of the waters, and the increase in Atlantic temperatures has undoubtedly increased Irma’s destructive power, according to the Gestión portal, which cites to German scientists. Environmental journalists from around the world support the same hypothesis.
The following image shows the magnitude that Hurricane Irma can have wherever it passes:
At this rate it is necessary to work on a solution, and that starts with each one of us. Reducing our harmful emissions is the first to prevent catastrophes like this in the future.
Can we prevent the next disaster?