Extreme Weather

Besides rising sea levels, global warming also leads to more destructive natural hazards. The heat in the ocean is also what provides the energy source to drive tropical storm systems. Higher surface water temperatures in the tropics and subtropics means more energy radiates into the atmosphere that result in tropical cyclone wind speeds and lower central pressures, leading to more damaging storm surges and salt water intrusion. According to a World Bank report titled "Cities, Seas and Storms”, the intensity and frequency of tropical storms due to global warming will cause significant financial losses for island states.