Is Hurricane Hilary Caused By Climate Change?
Hurricane Hilary has been making headlines in recent weeks, with many asking if the storm is connected to climate change. While it is impossible to definitively answer this question without further research, there is evidence to suggest that climate change is likely to have played a role.
What is Climate Change?
Climate change is the term used to describe the long-term warming of the Earth’s climate due to the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities. This warming has resulted in more extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, becoming more common and more intense.
How Does Climate Change Affect Hurricanes?
The main way that climate change affects hurricanes is by increasing the amount of moisture in the atmosphere. This additional moisture provides fuel for hurricanes to form and grow, leading to more intense storms.
Is Hurricane Hilary Connected to Climate Change?
It is impossible to definitively answer this question without further research, but evidence suggests that climate change is likely to have had an effect on the storm.
The most recent climate change report from the United Nations states that the world is now 1 degree Celsius (1.8 Fahrenheit) warmer than it was prior to the industrial revolution. This warming has resulted in more moisture being present in the atmosphere, providing the fuel that allows hurricanes like Hilary to form and grow.
Conclusion
While it is impossible to definitively answer the question of whether Hurricane Hilary was caused by climate change, there is evidence to suggest that it likely had some effect. Climate change is likely to have increased the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, providing the fuel needed for the storm to form and grow.

Kyle Whyte is a notable scholar and professor at the University of Michigan, holding positions such as the George Willis Pack Professor in the School for Environment and Sustainability and Professor of Philosophy. Specializing in environmental justice, his work critically examines climate policy and Indigenous peoples’ ethics, emphasizing the nexus between cooperative scientific endeavors and Indigenous justice. As an enrolled Citizen Potawatomi Nation member, he brings a vital perspective to his roles as a U.S. Science Envoy and member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. His influential research is supported by various prestigious organizations including the National Science Foundation, and disseminated through publications in high-impact journals. Kyle actively contributes to global Indigenous research methodologies and education, with affiliations to numerous institutes and societies dedicated to traditional knowledge and sustainability. Recognized for his academic and community engagement, Kyle has earned multiple awards and served in various visiting professorships. His efforts extend to leadership positions on boards and committees focused on environmental justice nationwide.