Environment Change and Climate Change in Valencia following the Valencia Floods: An Example of Climate Change Preventing Disasters in the 21st Century

In an email, Rebecca Carter wrote about the floods in Spain as an example of a type of extreme climate events that scientists have been warning about.

She writes that the floods highlight the need to increase early warning systems, to get people out of harm’s way quickly. She writes: “As the climate continues to be destabilized, no place can count on being spared from these types of unprecedented disasters.”

Climate scientist Daniel Swain, who was not involved in the analysis, said in an email that there is a clear climate change footprint on events like this.

Climate change made this week’s intense rain about 12% heavier and twice as likely, according to an analysis by the World Weather Attribution.

An atmosphere made hotter by burning fossil fuels can hold more water vapor, which can make downpours more intense. The world is now at least 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than it was during the 1800s. The atmosphere can hold about 9% more humidity with a 1.3 degree temperature increase.

Climate scientists have warned for decades about the dangers of global warming, which is caused by humans burning oil, gas and coal.

NASA Earth Observatory captured the image from its Landsat 8 satellite a day after the historic downpour. It showed parts of the eastern province of Valencia submerged in floodwaters. Meanwhile, the channel of the Turia river and the L’Albufera coastal wetlands were filled with the sentiment-laden deluge.

There were areas that had over 11 inches of rain. The town of Chiva, located near Valencia, got over 20 inches in 8 hours, which is the same amount of precipitation it usually gets in a year.

Rescue teams are still searching for dozens of missing individuals, but their efforts, along with recovery operations, have been hindered by the wreckage left in the wake of the flood. There are cars stacked on top of each other, streets filled with debris and people’s belongings covered in brown mud in photos and videos from Valencia.

Maria Isabel Albalat, the mayor of one of the impacted towns, Paiporta, said that many streets were still blocked, so rescuers could not fully access her town. She added that when they do get access to a location where one person has been reported dead, they end up discovering three or four bodies.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the government will deploy 5,000 more troops and 5,000 additional police officers to the region. Meanwhile, local authorities are facing criticism for failing to respond sooner.