SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
According to a new report--Natural Catastrophes in 2012 Dominated by U.S. Weather Extremes--published Wednesday by the environmental research organization World Watch Institute, of the enormous global cost of $170 billion due to natural catastrophes last year, the United States alone accounted for 69 percent of overall losses.
Focusing specifically on the "insured losses" as a result of these events, the report found that at 92 percent, the United States accounted for nearly all of the $70 billion global hit.
The pattern of crazy weather extremes--referred to as "weather whiplash"--has dominated US forecasts in recent years and caused the country to pay a high toll.
The report notes specifically that,
with regard to insured losses, a particularly striking feature in the climatological events category was that droughts accounted for 28 percent. This is well above the long-term average of 7 percent and was due to the severe drought that primarily afflicted the US Midwest during the year, causing immense agricultural losses.
The extreme drought that plagued much of the US throughout 2012, and which has continued into this year, was alone responsible for overall losses of $20 billion.
Globally, 93 percent of the 905 natural catastrophes in 2012 were weather-related disasters and, according to the report, their devastation is growing. "Since 1980, geophysical events have been more or less stable," they write, "whereas weather-related events have increased 2.8- to 3.6-fold."
Further, of the overall global losses due to natural catastrophes, in 2012 nearly 60 percent were attributable to increasingly severe storms, such as Sandy, compared with the long-term average of 39 percent.
_____________________
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
According to a new report--Natural Catastrophes in 2012 Dominated by U.S. Weather Extremes--published Wednesday by the environmental research organization World Watch Institute, of the enormous global cost of $170 billion due to natural catastrophes last year, the United States alone accounted for 69 percent of overall losses.
Focusing specifically on the "insured losses" as a result of these events, the report found that at 92 percent, the United States accounted for nearly all of the $70 billion global hit.
The pattern of crazy weather extremes--referred to as "weather whiplash"--has dominated US forecasts in recent years and caused the country to pay a high toll.
The report notes specifically that,
with regard to insured losses, a particularly striking feature in the climatological events category was that droughts accounted for 28 percent. This is well above the long-term average of 7 percent and was due to the severe drought that primarily afflicted the US Midwest during the year, causing immense agricultural losses.
The extreme drought that plagued much of the US throughout 2012, and which has continued into this year, was alone responsible for overall losses of $20 billion.
Globally, 93 percent of the 905 natural catastrophes in 2012 were weather-related disasters and, according to the report, their devastation is growing. "Since 1980, geophysical events have been more or less stable," they write, "whereas weather-related events have increased 2.8- to 3.6-fold."
Further, of the overall global losses due to natural catastrophes, in 2012 nearly 60 percent were attributable to increasingly severe storms, such as Sandy, compared with the long-term average of 39 percent.
_____________________
According to a new report--Natural Catastrophes in 2012 Dominated by U.S. Weather Extremes--published Wednesday by the environmental research organization World Watch Institute, of the enormous global cost of $170 billion due to natural catastrophes last year, the United States alone accounted for 69 percent of overall losses.
Focusing specifically on the "insured losses" as a result of these events, the report found that at 92 percent, the United States accounted for nearly all of the $70 billion global hit.
The pattern of crazy weather extremes--referred to as "weather whiplash"--has dominated US forecasts in recent years and caused the country to pay a high toll.
The report notes specifically that,
with regard to insured losses, a particularly striking feature in the climatological events category was that droughts accounted for 28 percent. This is well above the long-term average of 7 percent and was due to the severe drought that primarily afflicted the US Midwest during the year, causing immense agricultural losses.
The extreme drought that plagued much of the US throughout 2012, and which has continued into this year, was alone responsible for overall losses of $20 billion.
Globally, 93 percent of the 905 natural catastrophes in 2012 were weather-related disasters and, according to the report, their devastation is growing. "Since 1980, geophysical events have been more or less stable," they write, "whereas weather-related events have increased 2.8- to 3.6-fold."
Further, of the overall global losses due to natural catastrophes, in 2012 nearly 60 percent were attributable to increasingly severe storms, such as Sandy, compared with the long-term average of 39 percent.
_____________________