Storm clouds over climate change deniers

Recent catastrophic weather phenomena provide yet more strong evidence that global warming is very much a reality. Typhoons and hurricanes are among the uncontrollable forces of nature that afflict humankind from time to time.

However, scientists warn that these weather phenomena are becoming more frequent and more powerful. Two deadly superstorms late last month, thousands of miles apart, once more raised the question of whether humankind has contributed to this trend through greenhouse gas-induced climate change.

Typhoon Hato, which struck southern China, killing 18 people and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes, was the worst storm to hit the region in half a century. Days later, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, bringing with it what officials described as "unprecedented" flooding to the populous US state. The storm forced the closure of 10 oil refineries that employ tens of thousands of people and normally handle up to 2 million barrels a day.