Archived press release

New briefing shows freak weather on the increase

13 October 1997

On the tenth anniversary of the great hurricane that battered Britain, Friends of the Earth has published a new briefing showing that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. Evidence of an increase in freak weather events possibly because of global climate change, includes:

*US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that the number of'extreme precipitation events' (blizzards and heavy rainstorms) in the US has increased by 20% since 1990;

*The El Nio Southern Oscillation - a natural phenomenon in which sea temperatures in the tropical pacific increase - has become more common and may be the severest on record in 1997;

*The nine hottest years on record have been during the last 14 years.

The briefing also lists numerous examples of extreme weather incidents this year including:

*The driest January on record in England and Wales, as well as the wettest June this century;

*The strongest ever hurricane in the Eastern Pacific;

*'Once a century' floods in the US, Canada and Central Europe;

*The worst drought for decades - and unprecedented, choking smogs - in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Climate change also has major human and economic repercussions. Extreme weather often brings death, disease and homelessness, and costs vast sums of money. Insurance industry costs over the last 10 years are 15 times higher than during the 1960's.

If you are a journalist seeking press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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Archived press release

New briefing shows freak weather on the increase

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