Region | Location | What happened? | Was it climate change related? | What was the influence of climate change on the event? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Global![]() | The Globe, India and Central Pacific | Record warmth during 2015 | Yes | Largely climate change related. Especially for the globe and India. Less clear for the Central Pacific. |
North America![]() | United States | More extreme daily rainfall events across the country than normal. These were associated with flash flood events. | Not conclusive | Consistent with climate change trend but not conclusive. |
North America![]() | Alaska, US | Second worst fire season since 1940 (by area burnt).![]() Source: AAP Image/NEWZULU/ERIN UNDERBRINK | Yes | Climate change likely increased the severity of fires. |
North America![]() | Washington state, US | Low snow amounts led to decreased spring riverflow and increased risk of wildfire. | Not conclusive | Probably related to climate change as the warming trend is associated with reduced snowfall. |
North America![]() | Florida, US | High tides caused flooding in Miami![]() Source: B137/Wikimedia CC BY-SA | Yes | Climate change related sea level rise has exacerbated flooding related to high tides. |
North America![]() | Eastern US | Record cold winter weather events with associated storms and blizzards. | No | Climate change has reduced the likelihood of cold winters. |
North America![]() | North America | Cold February 2015 included storms and blizzards | Not conclusive | Possible contribution to event through effect of reduced Arctic sea ice. |
North America![]() | Western Canada | Extreme drought led to increased wildfire risk and water restrictions. | Yes | Warmer conditions are associated with climate change, but the low rainfall probably wasn't. |
Europe![]() | UK | Sunniest winter on record | Yes | Climate change has increased the likelihood of very sunny winters. |
Europe![]() | Central Europe | Heatwaves with many heat records broken. Increased human heat stress due to these events. | Yes | Climate change has likely increased the chance of heatwaves. |
Africa![]() | Nigeria | The wet season onset was delayed leading to crop failures. | No | No evidence of any climate change influence. |
Africa![]() | Egypt | Severe heatwave led to human discomfort and linked with excess deaths. | Yes | Climate change increased human discomfort during this event. |
Africa![]() | Ethiopia and Southern Africa | Extreme drought led to crop failure and necessitated an international aid effort.![]() Source: AAP Image/ChildFund | Yes | Climate change contributed to lack of rainfall. |
Asia![]() | India and Pakistan | Severe heat and humidity associated with excess deaths and hospital admissions.![]() Source: AAP/Syed Rizwan Ali | Yes | Climate change exacerbated these heatwaves. |
Asia![]() | Chennai, India | Heavy rains caused flooding with large economic damages.![]() Source: EPA/STR | No | Climate change influence likely cancelled out by cooling effect of aerosols. |
Asia![]() | Southeast China | Heavy rains before the wet season caused flooding and deaths in several cities. | Yes | Climate change increased the chance of intense rain events occurring. |
Asia![]() | Western China | Record heat associated with heat stress, fatalities and severe agricultural impacts. | Yes | Climate change increased the likelihood of severe heat. |
Asia![]() | Japan | Summertime heatwave caused increased incidence of heatstroke. | Yes | Climate change increased the likelihood of severe heat. |
Asia![]() | Indonesia | Heat and drought associated with wildfires and deaths through respiratory problems. | Yes | Climate change increased the likelihood of extreme heat and contributed to low rainfall. |
Oceania![]() | Australia | Record October heat linked with bushfires and crop losses. | Yes | Climate change increased likelihood of severe heat. |
Oceania![]() | Tasmania, Australia | Record low October rainfall caused crop losses and subsequent water shortages for electricity generation. | Yes | Climate change likely increased the chance of low rainfall, albeit only slightly. |
Global![]() | Northwest Pacific | Increased tropical cyclone activity | Yes | Climate change increased the likelihood of this event. |
Global![]() | Northern Hemisphere | Record low sea ice extent in March 2015![]() Source: NASA/Kathryn Hansen | Yes | Climate change contributed to the record low sea ice extent. |