Editorial: Extreme weather threatens Estonia too, time to review infrastructure

Climate scientists warn that the emerging super-El Niño will bring increasingly extreme weather to the world. Previous records for flooding and drought are likely to be broken. In Estonia too, it's worth considering whether existing infrastructure is prepared for the worst.

The world is currently experiencing two major events simultaneously: the football World Cup and the emerging super-El Niño. While the first provides entertainment, the second represents a serious challenge to the planet's climate and people's daily lives.

El Niño and climate change in symbiosis

Meteorologists are warning that this El Niño could prove exceptionally strong, and its impact will be further deepened against the backdrop of climate change. This means that previous records, whether flooding, drought, or storms, are likely to be surpassed. The weather phenomenon, which arises from warming of the Pacific Ocean, affects rainfall and temperature levels across the entire world, including Europe.

Estonia is no exception. In recent years, we have experienced both extraordinary summer rainfall and dry periods that have damaged both agriculture and urban infrastructure. Drainage systems that were designed decades ago may no longer be able to cope with today's severe storms.

Is Estonia's infrastructure ready?

This raises a logical question: is Estonia's urban and rural infrastructure adapted to new climate conditions? Roofs, sewage systems, and road networks were built according to old standards that may not account for future extreme weather. Requirements for drainage pipes and roofs should be critically reviewed before the next major rainfall proves too much for current solutions.

Climate adaptation is not just about monitoring distant catastrophes in the news, it means concrete investments at home, at the local government level, and at the national level. It is better to adapt before damage has already occurred.