Podcast Summary
Olympic sacrifices, turbulence: Reaching the Olympics demands great dedication, while turbulence during flights might be increasing due to climate change, but more research is needed to confirm this trend
Becoming an Olympian requires significant sacrifices from young athletes. On the What in the World podcast, two athletes shared their stories of dedication and hard work to reach the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. Meanwhile, on More or Less, we explored the question of whether severe turbulence during flights is increasing and if it's connected to climate change. Professor Paul Williams from the University of Reading explained that turbulence is a sudden swirling of air, and while it's always been a part of flying, there's evidence that it might be becoming more frequent in certain areas due to climate change. However, more research is needed to confirm this trend. In summary, striving for Olympic greatness comes with immense challenges, and understanding the impact of climate change on turbulence during flights is an ongoing area of investigation.
Causes of In-flight Turbulence: Clear air turbulence, caused by climate change, is an increasing cause of in-flight turbulence and can be just as disruptive as turbulence associated with storms.
There are several causes of in-flight turbulence, not just flying through storms. Mountain waves caused by air blowing over mountain ranges and clear air turbulence generated by jet streams and wind shear are also common causes. Clear air turbulence, which is invisible, has been increasing over the past decade due to climate change. Warmer air temperatures caused by climate change are causing a stronger temperature difference across jet streams, leading to more frequent and intense wind shear and clear air turbulence. This is an important consideration for travelers as clear air turbulence can be just as disruptive and uncomfortable as turbulence associated with storms.
Jet stream turbulence: The jet stream's contrasting temperature changes in the lower and upper atmospheres are leading to more severe turbulence at cruising altitudes, with a significant increase since the late 1970s, especially over the North Atlantic, USA, and worldwide.
The jet stream, which influences wind shear and turbulence, is experiencing contrasting temperature changes in the lower and upper atmospheres. While the temperature difference is decreasing in the lower atmosphere, it's increasing in the upper atmosphere, leading to more severe turbulence at cruising altitudes. This turbulence, which can lift passengers out of their seats, has been increasing since the late 1970s, with 55% more severe turbulence over the North Atlantic, 41% more over the USA, and similar figures worldwide. Despite advancements in turbulence monitoring and avoidance, the overall amount of turbulence in the atmosphere is increasing. While we may not know definitively if there's more turbulence on flights, the data suggests that turbulence is a growing concern.
Air travel turbulence: Despite an increase in severe turbulence, the serious injury rate from turbulence remains low and there's no clear trend in injuries, suggesting pilots and aircraft are improving in dealing with turbulence.
While there is an increase in turbulence in the atmosphere, leading to concerns for air travel safety, there are also advancements in technology and pilot skills that are mitigating the impact of turbulence on passengers. The cost of accelerometers, which measure turbulence, is the same for aircraft as it is for other applications, and while we don't yet have long-term data to determine climate trends, we do have records of injury statistics. The serious injury rate from turbulence is low, about one injury per million flights, and there is no clear trend in injuries despite an increase in severe turbulence. This suggests that pilots and aircraft are getting better at avoiding turbulence and responding to it when it does occur. So while there is a valid concern about turbulence and its potential impact on air travel safety, it's important to also acknowledge the progress being made in this area.
Severe turbulence increase: An increase in severe turbulence is projected for the North Atlantic, North America, North Pacific, and Europe by 2050 to 2080, potentially trebling, doubling, and 1.5 times respectively. However, safety measures are expected to mitigate the impact on flights.
According to scientific projections, there is an expected increase in severe turbulence in the atmosphere by the period 2050 to 2080, particularly in the North Atlantic, North America, North Pacific, and Europe. This increase could be nearly treble, double, and 1.5 times respectively. However, it's important to note that these figures do not directly translate to an increase in turbulence experienced on flights, as other safety measures are expected to be in place. If you're a nervous flyer, it's normal to worry, even for those in the field of atmospheric science. The best thing you can do is try to distract yourself and focus on enjoying the flight.
Olympic dedication: Becoming an Olympian requires immense focus, discipline, and hard work, with emotional and physical tolls, but it's not just about natural talent, it's about daily effort.
The pursuit of greatness, whether it's in sports or other areas of life, often requires significant sacrifices. In today's episode of What in the World, we heard from two young athletes who shared their stories of dedication and perseverance as they strive to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. During the conversation, they discussed the importance of focus, discipline, and hard work. They also highlighted the emotional and physical tolls that come with the journey to becoming an Olympian. The athletes emphasized that it's not just about natural talent, but also about putting in the effort day in and day out. Meanwhile, in a lighter vein, the hosts also shared some quirky insights from their own experiences, such as checking phone accelerometer readings during flights or tracking planes on maps. These seemingly trivial activities might seem nerdy, but they underscore the human fascination with understanding the world around us. Overall, the episode serves as a reminder that no matter what our goals are, whether they're related to sports, work, or personal growth, we can all learn from the stories of those who have dedicated themselves to their passions. And who knows, maybe we'll pick up a few new hobbies along the way! If you're interested in learning more about the world around us, tune in to What in the World, the daily podcast that makes sense of the news in under 15 minutes. No prior knowledge required. Find us wherever you get your BBC podcasts.