Extremes have one of the most unusual outcomes Climate changeIt could also mean a 5 percent increase in rainbows appearing around the world by 2100.
A new study by researchers measuring the less obvious effects climate change has revealed that this increase is measured in days per year when conditions are suitable for seeing at least one rainbow.
The scientists used crowd-sourced photos, global climate data, a computer model and found that 21 to 34 percent will see fewer of these rainbow days’. 66 to 79 per cent of the land area will see rainbows increasing in number as the planet warms.
Although more rainbow sightings might not be much consolation, Drought widespread Floods torrentialThe research team would like to see less tangible shifts such as these included in climate change predictions, to show how drastically our natural world may change.
“Living on Hawai’i, it was a blessing to have the beautiful, fleeting rainbows as a part of my everyday life.” Kimberly Carlson is a land system scientistShe is currently at New York University. “I wondered how climate changes might impact such rainbow viewing possibilities.”
The Flickr photo sharing site has thousands of photos showing rainbows. These images were used to make the forecasts. These images were referenced against maps showing precipitation, cloud cover and the angle to the Sun if the location was recorded.
The team then used the real-world data to create a model that could predict future climate changes. They discovered that the increase in rainbow days will have the greatest impact on areas with smaller populations at higher elevations and at higher latitudes like the Tibetan Plateau.
Islands are the place to be if you want to see rainbows in the future. Because of their topography, islands like Hawaii will remain rainbow hotspots.
“This is because the island terrain lifts air during daily sea breezes, creating localized showers that are surrounded by clear skies that allow the Sun in to create majestic rainbows.” Steven Businger, an atmospheric scientist, from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
The researchers didn’t go into too much depth in terms of discussing how such changes in the frequency of rainbows might affect our attitudes or wellbeing – but they did talk about the long shared history we have with rainbows which have infused human culture worldwide, It goes back to ancient times.
It is worth looking at the relationship between phenomena such as rainbows and mirages. Auroras) establish between humankind and nature. The challenge in addressing the climate crisis successfully is getting people to care about their natural environment enough to want to help them.
Heavily populated and presumably smoggy areas, along with areas projected to have more dry days and less overall rainfall are expected to see fewer rainbows – a sobering reminder of what we all stand to lose.
The team behind the new study wants to see more of a focus on the parts of our Earth system that cannot be touched or easily quantified – and that might affect our wellbeing and sense of connection in more subtle ways.
“Climate Change will cause pervasive changes in all aspects of the human experience here on Earth.” Carlson. “Shifts in intangible parts of our environment – such as sound and light – are part of these changes and deserve more attention from researchers.”
The research has been published in Global Environment Change.
