Archive · 22 May 2025
Climate Change Intensifies Cyclones and Threatens Mangroves, Studies Say
Imagine the world is getting warmer, and this is making big storms, called cyclones, more dangerous.
New studies show these storms will become stronger and hit different places than before.
This means areas like East Asia and the Caribbean could be hit harder.
These storms can also hurt important areas called mangroves, which protect coastlines.
If we keep using a lot of fuels, these problems will get much worse.
The scientists are worried that we're not prepared for how much things could change and that we need to be ready for more intense weather events.
Climate change, particularly under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, could intensify and shift cyclone patterns globally.
Models predict increased cyclone risk in East Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, Madagascar, and parts of Oceania.
Roughly half of the world's mangroves are at high to severe risk by 2100 due to changing cyclone patterns and sea-level rise.
Resilient ecoregions may experience reduced recovery time between high-intensity storms.
Southeast Asia is projected to be the most affected region, with a significant percentage of mangrove areas at risk.
- Who
- Researchers at ETH Zurich and other institutions conducted the studies.
- What
- Two studies show that climate change could intensify cyclones, increasing their intensity and shifting their patterns, endangering ecosystems like mangroves.
- When
- Studies project impacts by 2100, based on modeled scenarios.
- Where
- Globally, with increased risk in East Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, Madagascar, and Oceania.
- Why
- Due to the effects of climate change on cyclone patterns and sea level rise, which are projected to intensify and shift.
Focus on Mitigation
Focus on Adaptation
Action on Climate Change
Focus on Mitigation
Emphasis on understanding and addressing the effects of climate change.
Focus on Adaptation
Insufficient focus on the effects of climate change, with delayed action.
- Climate Scenario
- SSP5-8.5
- Ecoregions Affected by Cyclones
- 290
- Reduced recovery time in resilient ecoregions for high-intensity storms (2015-2050)
- 12 years
- Maximum percentage of mangrove areas at high to severe risk by 2100 (SSP5-8.5)
- 56%
- Region Most Affected
- Southeast Asia