During January 2017 Europe suffered extremely low temperatures (as low as -26 degrees C) and heavy snow fell across the continent. Over 60 deaths were reported.
Harsher winters in Europe are thought to be one of the probable consequences of climate change due to two factors:
Slowing of the Gulf Stream.
This video explains what the Gulf Stream is and how climate scientists think warming could affect it:
Wavy Jetstream:
The artic is warming faster than the rest of the globe which is causing the Jet Stream to move slower and form bigger "waves". As a result weather patterns across Europe (and the rest of the world- especially the Northern Hemisphere) are changing and becoming more "persistant". Dr Francis explains how this all works in the video below (published 2014). She also ties some recent extreme weather events in the UK directly to their causes, as explained by climate change science.Discussion Point - Climate Refugees
Below are some further links discussing the refugee issue during the recent extreme weather in Europe. Displaced people and communities and how we deal with them are likely to become a very significant issue as climate change advances. In countries like the UK, with natural borders how and how much, we help is a big question which divides society. Politicians are currently failing to formulate policy that citizens can agree on and the humanitarian issues that arise are already proving to be a challenge. A much bigger problem is on its way ...
BBC News
The Guardian
The Guardian
