Researchers agree that global warming caused by the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil can be clearly linked to intense downpours and heavy storms happening more often. (Pexels)
The weather is good for small talk. But it has been making big headlines more and more often.
In the first five months of this year, many parts of South Africa have been battered by storms, floods and lasting or scorching heat, with the government issuing three notices of weather-related national disasters and official warnings about severe heat between January and May.
Researchers agree that global warming caused by the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil can be clearly linked to intense downpours and heavy storms happening more often.
But how badly unexpectedly heavy weather will affect people’s lives depends on a combination of environmental factors and communities’ preparedness.
