Climate Change Implications of the Texas Winter Storm
Five months ago, we wrote about the wildfires that ravaged the West Coast of the USA. Today, 48 states are experiencing colder than usual temperatures due to the Arctic Air mass over the continental United States. In 5 months, significant parts of the U.S have experienced the two extremes of changing climate systems, while in the past 15 months, we've seen multiple international examples of these extreme weather events, such as the Australian wildfires, a more intense Atlantic hurricane season, and the highest rates of glacial melting ever recorded. Climate change is not in our distant future, it is happening now.
Arctic Amplification
The state of Texas has been in the spotlight as millions of residents continue to live without food, water, and heat. Winter storm Uri has disrupted the energy systems in the state, as it simultaneously attempts to deal with the severity of the coronavirus pandemic. This storm is caused by Arctic Amplification, a phenomena wherein reduced temperature differences between the Arctic and mid-latitude regions causes disruptions in weather systems. These can cause cold snaps in locations that are usually prone to heat waves, such as Texas.
This temperature difference is a direct result of the Arctic ice melting -- the Earth is absorbing more solar energy, increasing melting. As ice is very reflective, lower levels mean more heat absorption, exacerbating this cycle. At the core of these arctic ice melts and induced winter storm disasters is again, the issue of global warming.
Energy Breakdown
Apart from the devastatingly cold temperatures that the state of Texas is now grappling with, a large side effect of winter storm Uri are the rolling power outages throughout the entire state. Texas operates on an independent energy grid which is unprepared for winter storms. This type of grid exists in New Orleans as well, where millions of residents had to live without power for months after Hurricane Katrina.
States with isolated grids cannot call upon their neighbors to help with energy demands. This is a cause of energy deregulation, which has led to more lenient rules for power generating and operating infrastructure. This unfortunately means that their resilience in cold weather is not a priority, as it is not fiscally incentivized. Powerlines, transmission equipment, and energy facilities were compromised during this winter storm due to an unprepared system, showcasing the vulnerable nature of Texas’ energy infrastructure.
Furthermore, Texas receives 70% of its energy from fossil fuels, coal, natural gas, and oil. During this crisis, fossil fuel facilities failed to produce enough energy to meet their demand, whereas wind and solar facilities produced near, or above-planned capacity. Wind accounts for 25% of total electricity generation in the state, yet only accounted for 13% of outages last week.
Environmental Injustices
The power outages have led to residents living without electricity for days. In some extreme cases, residents were exposed to pollutants that can cause long-term health issues. Communities near oil refineries, for example, are currently experiencing higher concentrations of air pollution because of flaring during the storm -- the process of disposing of excess gas when unsafe pressure levels build-in equipment. This often occurs in cold weather, releasing greenhouse gases like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxide, as well as the cancer-inducing chemical benzene. People of color, immigrants, and lower-income communities suffer the worst from such situations, as shown by higher rates of respiratory illness and cancer.
Big Oil, especially ExxonMobil, Total, and Shell who are stationed in Texas have all been flaring across the state of Texas within the past week, and the repercussions are more than likely to be detrimental to the livelihoods of their nearby communities.
Moving Forward
Our energy systems are imperfect. The Texas winter storm has brought to light the disparities in the U.S energy infrastructure and the need for improved policy and collective action against climate change. We are now facing the extreme weather events scientists have been warning us about for years. If proper action and intervention is forgone, climate disasters will continue on as they are, causing more complications and devastation in our near future.
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