Video - Remembering Haiyan and Working for Climate Justice

One year ago today, November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever to hit land, devastated the Philippines. Powerful winds and seven meter high storm surges killed as many as 7,300 people and forced a million families from their homes. A year later thousand of people are still homeless.

The Horrors of Typhoon Haiyan Offers a Painful Glimpse into our Future

While it is reasonable to come to the conclusion that Typhoon Haiyan was exacerbated by climate change, it is indisputable that this record breaking storm, likely the most powerful to ever make landfall, is a foretaste of our future if we continue on our current trajectory.

As we watch the painful reports of people burying their dead, searching for loved ones or desperate for food and water we would do well to remember, this is not the isolated fate of an isolated people. This is what lies in store for all of us if we fail to make the transition to a low carbon economy.

Typhoon Haiyan: Why We Must Help the People of the Philippines

We all have responsibilities to assist those who are suffering from extreme weather particularly those of us who live in wealthy nations. Climate scientists have linked Typhoon Haiyam to climate change. We already know that climate change causes extreme weather and we also know that we are all guilty of contributing to global warming. Wealthier nations have additional responsibilities as we know that our wealth was achieved through industrialization. Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases (GHGs) which are a byproduct of industrialization. Therefore, wealthier countries have an obligation to help, both because we are the biggest contributors of global warming causing GHGs and because we have the means.

Typhoon Haiyan and Climate Change

Last week, Typhoon Haiyan slammed into the Philippines leaving a path of death and destruction in its wake. Wind speeds of more than 190 miles an hour (almost 315 km/h) make Haiyan the most powerful typhoon ever to make landfall. According to data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the area East of the Philippines where Haiyan formed, sea temperatures were about 0.5 to 1 degree above normal.

The Philippine's Climate Negotiator Delivers Typhoon Haiyan Inspired Message at COP 19

Typhoon Haiyan left a path of widespread devastation and according to the most recent reports it may have killed as many as 10,000 people in the Philippines. As climate delegates gather for COP 19 in Warsaw, Poland, vast numbers of people in the Philippines are mourning their dead and struggling to find food and water. Between 70 and 80 percent of all the structures in the storms path have been decimated. Entire towns have been leveled and at least 600,000 people are known to have been displaced by the storm.

Video - Typhoon Haiyan One of the Biggest Superstorms Ever on the Planet

As reported on CNN, Chief Meteorologist Chad Myers says Typhoon Haiyan could be one of the biggest storms ever to make landfall. This is certainly the case in terms of wind speed, although we have yet to acquire data related to barometric pressure.

Super Typhoon Haiyan May be the Strongest Storm in History

With sustained winds of 315 kph (195 mph) and gusts as strong as 380 kph (235 mph), Haiyan may be the strongest tropical cyclone to hit land anywhere in recorded history. Haiyan's strength is right around the theoretical upper limit that cyclones can reach. The storm ravaged the Philippines with deadly winds, storm surges, torrential rainfalls, and widespread flooding as high as 10 feet in some areas.

Haiyan is known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Yolanda, slammed into the country's eastern island of Samar at 4:30 a.m., before moving on to five other Philippine islands then, heading toward Vietnam. In addition to massive property damage the death toll now stands at 100 and is expected to rise

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Accepts the Science of Climate Change (Video)

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie showed his support for President Obama after Hurricane Sandy. This should come as no surprise as Christie disagrees with the GOP's stance on climate change. In 2011 Christie held a press conference at the State House to discuss the administration's policies on climate change and promoting renewable energy. The Governor stressed the need to have effective policies in place to combat the effect of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment, while leading New Jersey into a greener and more renewable energy future. As a moderate and pragmatic man who accepts the science of climate change Christie may represent the future of a rejuvenated Republican party.

Bloomberg Endorses Obama Citing Climate Change (Video)

In a stunning move, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed the re-election of Barack Obama almost solely because of the issue of climate change. In a piece on the Bloomberg news web site, he said that the destruction caused by hurricane Sandy had led him to his decision. He wrote:

"The floods and fires that swept through our city left a path of destruction that will require years of recovery and rebuilding work. And in the short term, our subway system remains partially shut down, and many city residents and businesses still have no power. In just 14 months, two hurricanes have forced us to evacuate neighborhoods — something our city government had never done before. If this is a trend, it is simply not sustainable."

Hurricane Sandy Underscores Republican's Anti-Science Climate Change Denial (Video)

As Hurricane Sandy pounds the east coast Cenk Uygur, host of The Young Turks discusses the Republican party's stance on climate change. Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney's comments on climate change during is RNC speech are discussed. Cenk also breaks down the real reason the Republican party has the opinions they do about climate change, turns out it's all about the money.

Romney's Climate Change Ignorance on Display (Video)

At the Republican National Convention, Mitt Romney made some derisive comments about President Obama's efforts to tackle climate change. In light of Hurricane Sandy, these comments can only be described as woefully ignorant. America has a choice to make and it would be nothing short of a national tragedy to see a candidate as profoundly misinformed as Mitt Romney win this election.

Romney Ignores the Causes of Hurricane Sandy as Republicans Shout Down Climate Change Advocate (Video)

At a Romney rally in Richmond, Virginia, a Climate Change advocate was shouted down by an angry crowd of Republicans. In response to the statement "What about climate? That's what caused this monster storm. Climate change," the Republicans in attendance all began booing and then started chanting "U-S-A". The man, who was holding a sign that read "END CLIMATE SILENCE" was immediately escorted out of the event.

Meteorologist Discusses Relationship Between Hurricane Sandy and Climate Change (Video)

Forecasters say Hurricane Sandy is a rare, hybrid super storm created by an Arctic jet stream from the north wrapping itself around a tropical storm from the south. Jeff Masters, director of meteorology at the Weather Underground, warns that such a "Frankenstorm," as it is called, is an outgrowth of the extreme weather changes caused by global warming. "When you heat the oceans more, you extend the length of hurricane season," Masters says. "There's been ample evidence over the last decade or so that hurricane season is getting longer -- it starts earlier, ends later. You're more likely to get these sort of late October storms now, and you're more likely to have this sort of situation where a late October storm meets up with a winter low pressure system and gives us this ridiculous combination of a nor'easter and hurricane that comes ashore, bringing all kinds of destruction."

Hurricane Sandy is a Wake-up Call for those who Doubt the Science of Climate Change (Video)

This video address Hurricane Sandy and the relationship of this super-storm to climate change. 350.org founder Bill McKibben says the storm is a wake-up call. Climate scientist Greg Jones from Southern Oregon University says: "This is a unique event and as a climate scientist I worry that these events will be more frequent."

Youth Advocacy for Action on Climate Change (Video)

Young people need to act, they also need to vote for candidates that will support them. In April, 2012, 10,000 young people came together to stand up for the Earth and push for clean energy and green jobs. This generation is engaged in a fight for survival, they are fighting for themselves and they are fighting on behalf of the children of all species. However, they are fighting against powerful entrenched interests that have spent billions to buy politicians and misinform the public. For that reason alone, this is the most important generation of Americans at the most important time in history.

The Staggering Costs of Ignoring Climate Change

As the US election draws near voters need to acknowledge that there are staggering costs associated with ignoring climate change. Although Republicans claim to be advocates of fiscal responsibility, challenger Mitt Romney has made it clear that he has no intention of addressing climate change. Here is a re-edited article that was written in 2011 in the wake of Hurricane Irene, but is even more relevant in light of devastating costs associated with Hurricane Sandy.

Extreme weather events like Hurricane Irene illustrate the costs of man’s impact on the earth. The planet has been getting warmer since the dawn of the industrial age and for every one degree rise in temperature, moisture rises by 7 percent. Scientists predict that warmer temperatures will increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Or to put it another way, global warming amplifies the risk factors for extreme weather events.

Hurricane Sandy, Climate Change and the Upcoming Election

Hurricane Sandy wreaked massive destruction on the U.S. east coast. What is particularly noteworthy is the fact that this super-storm traversed a section of ocean that is typically too cold to form hurricanes. In addition to 90 mph (144 kph) winds and massive amounts of rain there was up to 3 feet of snow in West Virginia and other areas. The storm was accompanied by record low barometric pressure that pushed the storm far inland. Hurricane Sandy combined with two other weather systems to become a huge mega-storm. The super-storm ploughed well into the Midwest causing waves exceeding 24 feet (7.2 meters) on Lake Michigan. Even more destructive were the record storm surges of 14-feet (4.27-meters) that struck the coasts of both New York and New Jersey. The impact of Sandy prompted New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to say “The level of devastation at the Jersey Shore is unthinkable,” he said. “It is beyond anything I thought I’d ever see…it is a devastating sight right now.”

Romney's Environmentally Destructive Vision for America

Republican nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama have presented two radically different visions. While environmentalists have criticized both candidates, it should be obvious that one is clearly better than the other. Obama's campaign slogan is "Forward" while Romney's policy agenda can best be described as "Backwards". Romney has emphasized an increased reliance on fossil fuels, in contrast, President Obama has worked towards the development of a 21 century energy economy. Overall, Obama's environmental Efforts on energy and other issues rank him as one of the greenest Presidents in American history. Romney's proposed policies are nothing short of an environmental nightmare. It is not overstating the case to say that a Romney presidency would imperil the planet. If Romney wins the White House it may very well push us beyond tipping points that will make it impossible to get a handle on climate change.

Insurance Company Acknowledges Extreme Weather Caused by Climate Change

Extreme weather is costing insurance companies billions of dollars and this is forcing them to accept the veracity of climate change. Even before the mega-storm known as Hurricane Sandy hit in late October 2012, a Huffington Post article indicated that federal disaster declarations have doubled winter storm losses since the 1980s. In 2011, thunderstorms caused over $25 billion in damages in the U.S., more than double the previous record.

As reported by Bloomberg, the total economic loss from the Hurricane could exceed $20 billion, including insured losses of about $7 billion to $8 billion. These costs could subtract 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points from US gross domestic product in the fourth quarter. The industry forecasting firm IHS Global Insight estimates the costs of Sandy could be as high as $50 billion in damages and lost business.