Weather disasters over past five decades 'have increased five-fold' - BBC News

Summary

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports a five-fold increase in weather-related disasters over the past 50 years, with climate change playing a major role. Despite a decrease in fatalities due to improvements in early warning systems, economic losses have surged, now seven times higher than in the 1970s. Water-related disasters account for almost half of the deaths, and only half the world's countries have adequate warning systems. The report highlights the disparity between wealthy and developing nations, urging more global action ahead of COP26 climate negotiations to reduce both loss of life and economic damage.

Takeaways

• 😀 The number of weather-related disasters has increased fivefold in the past 50 years, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• 😀 On average, 115 people have died every day since 1970 due to weather, climate, or water-related hazards.
• 😀 Climate change is contributing significantly to the rise in these disasters, with human activities like fossil fuel use warming the planet.
• 😀 Despite more frequent disasters, the number of deaths has decreased by two-thirds over the last 50 years, thanks to improvements in disaster management.
• 😀 Early warning systems have played a crucial role in saving lives by providing people with more time to evacuate before disasters strike.
• 😀 Economic losses from weather-related events have increased sevenfold since the 1970s, and this trend is expected to continue.
• 😀 Almost half of the world's countries do not have adequate early warning systems in place, which remains a significant challenge.
• 😀 The 2017 hurricanes (Harvey, Irma, and Maria) account for more than 35% of the worst economic damage from weather-related events.
• 😀 Scientists have found that climate change has made storms like Hurricane Harvey more intense, with warmer air carrying more moisture.
• 😀 While weather-related tragedies are on the rise, the reduction in fatalities is seen as a success of global disaster management efforts, especially early warning systems.

Q & A

What does the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report say about the increase in weather-related disasters?

The WMO reports that the number of weather-related disasters has increased five-fold over the past 50 years. On average, an event linked to weather, climate, or water hazards has killed 115 people every day since 1970.

How has disaster management improved despite the rise in weather-related events?

Disaster management has improved due to better early warning systems, which have decreased the number of fatalities from such events. However, economic losses from these events have been growing rapidly and are expected to continue increasing.

What is the relationship between climate change and weather-related disasters?

The WMO states that climate change, caused by the continued warming of the planet due to fossil fuel usage, has influenced the rise in weather-related disasters. The increase in climate extremes is expected to continue for the coming decades.

What significant natural disaster is mentioned as an example of the impact of climate change?

The report highlights Hurricane Ida, which caused catastrophic damage in Louisiana. It is one of the many disasters exacerbated by climate change, as the warmer planet creates more intense storms.

How have fatalities from weather-related disasters changed over the past 50 years?

Despite the increase in the number of weather-related disasters, the number of people killed by such events has decreased by two-thirds over the past five decades, largely due to improved early warning systems.

What has been the economic impact of weather-related disasters over the past 50 years?

The economic damage caused by weather-related disasters has increased significantly, now costing more than seven times what it did in the 1970s. This reflects the growing severity and frequency of such events.

What is the state of early warning systems around the world?

While early warning systems have saved many lives, only half of the world's countries have adequate warning networks in place. This gap remains a significant challenge for improving disaster response globally.

What are some of the most damaging storms mentioned in the report?

Three of the most damaging storms listed in the report occurred in 2017: Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. These storms together accounted for more than 35% of the economic damage from weather-related disasters.

What role has climate change played in the intensity of recent storms?

Scientists have found that climate change has made storms like Hurricane Harvey more intense. For instance, Harvey was slowed down by warmer temperatures, leading to devastating flooding in Texas. This is a direct result of global warming.

Is there any positive aspect in the report despite the increasing number of disasters?

Yes, the report notes a positive trend: the number of fatalities has significantly decreased due to the effectiveness of early warning systems, which have helped evacuate people in time to avoid many deaths during major events like Hurricane Ida.