In recent years, the effects of climate change have led to a wide range of unexpected outcomes around the world. A lesser-known, but increasingly alarming, impact has been observed in Surabaya, Indonesia, where residents have begun experiencing mild electric shocks when they come into physical contact with one another. This bizarre phenomenon is thought to be caused by shifts in humidity and temperature, both of which are heavily influenced by the ongoing climate crisis.
Surabaya, one of Indonesia’s largest cities, experiences a tropical climate characterized by high temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year. However, Surabaya has faced more extreme weather patterns. Longer dry seasons, unpredictable rainfall, and wildly fluctuating humidity levels have become the norm. These changes are directly linked to the larger global climate trends, with coastal cities like Surabaya bearing the brunt of these environmental shifts.
As temperatures rise, the air becomes more conductive to electricity, which can lead to increased occurrences of static electricity. Static shocks happen when there is an imbalance of electric charge between two objects or individuals, causing an exchange of electrons when contact is made. While these shocks are harmless, they can be startling and unsettling, especially when they happen frequently in places like Surabaya, where changing weather conditions exacerbate the issue.
Static electricity is a common phenomenon experienced by people around the world. It can occur due to friction between different materials, such as when someone walks across a carpeted floor or when two fabrics rub against each other. However, the increased frequency of static shocks in Surabaya has been attributed to unusual atmospheric conditions brought on by climate change.
Climate change plays a crucial role in the increasing unpredictability of Surabaya’s weather patterns. Global warming disrupts atmospheric systems, which in turn affects how water vapor and heat interact in the environment. This leads to more unpredictable and volatile weather, including abrupt shifts in humidity and temperature—factors that can directly impact the likelihood of static electricity shocks.
The phenomenon of static electricity shocks has generated mixed reactions among Surabaya’s residents. For some, it’s an amusing inconvenience, while others view it as a troubling sign of the broader impacts of climate change on their everyday lives.
“I often get electrocuted when I accidentally come into contact with my friends.” Rachel, an English Vocational student of Universitas Airlangga, explains. “Everyone hates the pain and shock of being electrocuted, including me. That’s why I’ve started keeping a bit more distance from people.”
This growing awareness among the city’s residents has caught the attention of local governments and climate researchers, who are working together to better understand the atmospheric changes that are driving these shocks. A recent study published in Nature Climate Change highlighted how scientists across various fields are increasingly focused on developing practical, feasible solutions to address the impacts of climate change.
Residents have been advised to take small measures to reduce their chances of being shocked, such as wearing natural fabrics like cotton, which generate less static electricity than synthetic materials, and using skin moisturizers to help dissipate static charges. However, while these tips may offer short-term relief, they are hardly a permanent solution.
While small steps like changing clothing choices or using moisturizers can help mitigate the issue temporarily, the long-term answer to reducing these climate-induced phenomena lies in addressing the root cause: climate change itself.
The phenomenon of people experiencing mild electric shocks when they touch each other in Surabaya highlights an unexpected and tangible consequence of climate change. As global temperatures rise and weather patterns become more unpredictable, even the most routine human interactions—like touching another person—are being affected. Although static electricity shocks may seem like a minor nuisance, they are a reminder of the pervasive and far-reaching impacts of climate change on all aspects of life. Without concerted efforts to curb climate change, such phenomena could become more frequent and more disruptive in the future.
Reference: Feasibility concerns. Nat. Clim. Chang. 14, 1005 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02166-0
