Analysis, Environmental

New Data Analysis Shows Extreme Weather Events from Climate Change Even More Costly and Deadly


Washington, D.C. —(ENEWSPF)–January 23, 2017.  New data analysis conducted by the Center for American Progress has shown that, over the last six years, there have been 66 extreme weather and climate disasters that have each resulted in at least $1 billion in damage. These events and disasters have resulted in the nearly $300 billion in damage collectively and caused the deaths of more than 1,600 people.

In a column released on this analysis, the Center for American Progress argues that the clear link between climate change and the frequency and severity of extreme weather demand that the incoming administration prioritize reducing carbon pollution and investing in efforts to strengthen community resilience.

“The causes and consequences of more frequent and more damaging extreme weather will not go away simply because the next president doesn’t believe in them,” said Miranda Peterson, Research Associate at CAP and co-author of the column. “The next administration has a responsibility to reduce carbon pollution and strengthen resilience to climate change, especially for low-income communities and communities of color, which are very often disproportionately affected by extreme weather events.”

The analysis showed that in 2016 alone there were 297 deaths caused by extreme weather and climate disasters costing a staggering $53.5 billion in economic damage. These damage costs are, in fact, conservative estimates as they do not take into account the destruction of natural assets such as wetlands and parks, nor do they count increased health care costs and the economic impact tied to loss of life. With clear connections between these extreme weather events and climate change, the next administration must make combatting climate change and boosting climate resilience a priority.

The analysis is based on climate-related disaster data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, reinsurance and analytics group Aon Benfield, and the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Click here to read the column.

Source: http://americanprogress.org

 

 


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