Feb 7 • 14:02 UTC 🇵🇱 Poland Rzeczpospolita

Meteorologist: Let's enjoy winter while we can. We may have to wait many years for the next one.

A Polish meteorologist discusses the recent extreme cold wave and its implications for understanding climate change.

Recently, Poland has been experiencing another wave of record low temperatures this winter, with some areas recording temperatures dropping below minus 30 degrees Celsius. These extreme weather episodes, which are increasingly frequent, are often used by climate change skeptics to challenge the reality of global warming. However, experts in the field emphasize that these weather anomalies should not be viewed as a measure of long-term climate change, which must be assessed over a more extended period through statistical trends.

In a dialogue with Karsten Haustein, a meteorologist from Leipzig University specializing in extreme weather events and climate change attribution, the discussion revolves around the misinterpretations of cold weather events by deniers of climate change. Haustein stresses the importance of understanding that low temperatures and unusual weather patterns do not contradict the concept of a warming world, as climate is defined by long-term trends rather than short-term fluctuations. His insights aim to clarify the scientific consensus surrounding climate change and the potential for future winters.

Ultimately, the article serves as a reminder for both the public and policymakers about the need for scientific literacy when discussing climate issues. As winter extremes like these become more common, it is crucial to distinguish between weather and climate to promote informed conversations about climate change and the urgent actions needed to address it, rather than allowing misinformation to prevail.

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