Costly Climate Calamities: A Record-Breaking Start to the Year
The first half of the year has been a costly one for the United States, with weather disasters causing over $100 billion in damage. This is the most expensive start to any year on record.
Increasing Frequency and Intensity
- Fourteen separate disasters each caused at least $1 billion in damage.
- A stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
The Human and Financial Toll
The cost of these disasters is not just a financial burden, but also a sign of things to come.
- More intense hurricanes
- Heavier rainfall
- Larger wildfires
These changes are driven by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels.
Data and Planning
The data on these disasters is crucial for understanding the impacts of climate change and planning for the future.
- Used by the insurance industry
- Policymakers
- Researchers
However, the federal government has stopped updating a key database that tracks the cost of these disasters, leaving a gap in our understanding.
Climate Central Steps In
A nonprofit group, Climate Central, has stepped in to fill this gap.
- Revived the database
- Continue to track the cost of disasters
Their data shows that the average number of billion-dollar disasters has surged from three per year during the 1980s to 19 annually during the last 10 years.
The Human Cost
The cost of these disasters is not just financial, but also human.
- Los Angeles wildfires alone caused over $60 billion in damage and claimed many lives.
- Severe storms
- Tornadoes
- Floods
As we look to the future, we must consider the human cost of these disasters and take action to protect vulnerable communities.