the end of the world (as we know it) -- 3

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Environmental phenomena have wreaked havoc to human habitation and industry. 


The Philippines has had it's share of weather disturbances this year, with the latest one submerging the southern cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in flood waters. The Philippine National Red Cross has reported that Tropical Storm Washi has claimed over 1000 lives in an area that is not in the typical typhoon route in the Philippines. This storm is the 27th weather disturbance in the western Pacific and the 19th to have entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility in 2011. Other cities have been hit by flood waters as well: Brisbane and Rio de Janeiro were underwater in January, Bangkok has been flooded since July, and Darfur was flooded in September. Many of these floods have been described as the worst in the century. With more extreme weather and lots more precipitation than "normal" will boats be the vehicles of the future?

Aside from excessive precipitation and its consequences, the world also stood witness to huge earthquakes, the three with the highest death tolls being the 6.3-magnitude quake in New Zealand in February, the 7.2-magnitude quake in Turkey in October, and the 8.9-magnitude earthquake-tsunami combination that hit Japan in March. The Japan megathrust earthquake is said to be rare, recurring at intervals of 260-880 years. The New Zealand quake, on the other hand, occurred in an area where large earthquakes are supposed to rarely happen. In contrast, the Turkey quake occurred in an earthquake-prone area but where buildings following improved building codes are rare. Then there's the 5.6-magnitude Oklahoma, USA earthquake in October, an area known for tornadoes rather than for movements along fault lines. 

The world is indeed morphing into something we don't know. We have to adjust. We have to be prepared. People with wide influences, such as Al Gore, have been doing the rounds, making people more aware about the reality of climate change and the consequences that we face because of changing weather patterns.

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