Severe turbulence on airplanes has been a growing concern, with incidents becoming more frequent. The cause behind these terrifying experiences is often linked to severe thunderstorms, where wind speeds exceed 50 knots or 60 miles per hour. This phenomenon is driven by wind shear, where air rises and falls rapidly within a thunderstorm.
During a thunderstorm, rising air is a result of cold air pushing warm air upwards. The increased warmth in the atmosphere, attributed to climate change, intensifies these weather patterns. The scale of the disturbance is significant, with aircraft encountering columns of rising air that can lead to sudden and drastic changes in altitude.
Recent accounts of passengers experiencing turbulence firsthand paint a vivid picture of chaos within the aircraft. Items flying through the cabin, injuries, and even fatalities have been reported. The forces experienced during severe turbulence can be likened to those felt during a rocket launch, reaching up to 9 or 10 Gs momentarily.
The importance of wearing seatbelts during flights cannot be overstated, as they significantly reduce the risk of injuries when turbulence strikes unexpectedly. The connection between climate change and air turbulence underscores the need for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop innovative solutions to mitigate their impact on atmospheric conditions.
Looking ahead, addressing the root causes of climate change and investing in technologies to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere are crucial steps towards ensuring safer air travel in the future. The call for 'big, big ideas' emphasizes the urgency of taking proactive measures to combat the escalating challenges posed by turbulent weather conditions in the skies.
