CLIMATIC CHANGES AND NATURAL DISASTERS IN SWITZERLAND

Abstract

Changes to the expected variation in climate can be detected since the late 19th century. There is a very high probability that climate change is a consequence of emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols caused by human activity. It is also of course possible that these observed changes are connected with natural climate variability. In Switzerland, the annual mean temperature has increased and summer precipitation decreased since the beginning of systematic recordings in 1864. Extreme and intense weather events, which can cause natural disasters, have also changed. These facts must be considered in relation protection from natural disasters and spatial planning. The climate will continue to change and with it future weather extremes.