Increase in Turbulence Risk Due to Climate Change: Recent Incidents Highlight the Dangers
Two recent incidents in the aviation industry have once again brought the spotlight onto the increasing risks of turbulence due to climate change. Last week, a passenger tragically lost his life on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore as the plane encountered severe turbulence. Additionally, on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Ireland, six passengers and six cabin crew members sustained injuries during turbulence over Turkey. The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) mentioned that emergency services were on standby as the aircraft landed safely at Dublin Airport. The DAA continues to provide support to affected passengers and airline staff. The incidents serve as a grim reminder of the potential dangers posed by turbulence, a risk that is becoming more pronounced due to climate change. According to meteorologists at the University of Reading, the impact of climate change has made the skies up to 55% more turbulent than four decades ago. This is attributed to the altered air currents in the jet stream caused by warmer air resulting from carbon dioxide emissions. While fatalities and serious injuries from turbulence are rare, the recent events underscore the importance of understanding and addressing the risks associated with climate-induced turbulence in the aviation sector.
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