THE COST OF CLIMATE DISASTERS

The world experienced a lot of climate disasters in 2022 and there is evidence of an even more impactful year in 2023.  The cost of these disasters is staggering. These costs, both human and financial, are greatly influenced by our changing climate.  According to Patrick Watt, CEO of the World Economic Forum, “Without major cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, the human and financial toll (of these disasters) will only increase.”  A rough estimate of just the top ten disasters in 2022 is over $160 billion.  In the US the first part of 2023 (from January to June) has seen a cost of about $11 billion dollars so far.

Here is a list of the top ten world climate disasters for 2022. Hurricane Ian($100 B), European drought($20 B), Flooding in China($12.3 B), Drought in China($8.9 B), flooding in Eastern Australia ($7.5 B), flooding in Pakistan ($5.6 B, but the highest human toll—about 1,339 killed and 7 million displaced), Storm Eunice in UK and Europe ($4.3 B), drought in Brazil ($4 B), Hurricane in the Caribbean ($6 B), & flooding in South Africa ($3 B).

There were other disasters as well—drought in the Horn of Africa, flooding in West Africa, a cyclone in Bangladesh, a tropical storm in the Philippines, flooding in Malaysia, flooding in Brazil, storms in South Africa, and various, heat waves, droughts, storms all causing suffering, displaced people and financial costs.

Closer to home, NOAA reports that in the US from January through June, there has been about $12 B in costs from various storms, floods, droughts, and fires.  Remember the extreme cold during the winter?  This figure does not include the costs to the food supply of the ongoing drought in the breadbasket area, the terrible flooding in Vermont, the excessive heat in many parts of our country and the health issues from smoke from the Canadian wildfires.  This is one crushing amount of financial and human toll, and the summer is not over!

These figures should be a wakeup call for all.  Every person should do all they can to reduce their personal carbon footprint and advocate for less greenhouse gas emissions & green energy.

Earth Steward Action:  Speak to all you know about the cause, effect and curtailing of greenhouse gas emissions.

Sources:  https://weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/10-costliest-climate-disasters-of-2022/