The economic cost of 10 weather disasters this year exceeded $200 billion

The 10 costliest weather disasters this year caused more than $3 billion in economic damage each, according to data compiled from the report “The Cost of 2022: The Year the Climate Collapsed” by the international aid and development organization. Christian Aid.

The actual costs of weather disasters are estimated to be higher as these costs are calculated only according to losses covered by insurance. Weather disasters with higher economic costs are seen to be more common in developed countries with high insurance coverage.

Whirlwind IAN COSTS $100 BILLION

On the other hand, in developing countries, which are much less affected by climate change compared to developed countries, the costs covered by insurance are low.

Thus, while the economic cost of Hurricane Ian, which affected the southern coasts of the United States and Cuba in September, reached at least 100 billion dollars, it is estimated that more than 40,000 people were forced to migrate to cause of the hurricane.

Although the economic cost of flooding in Pakistan between June and September is $30 billion according to World Bank estimates, the cost covered by insurance is at least $5.6 billion. At least 7 million people were displaced by the floods in Pakistan and more than 1,700 people lost their lives.

THE COST OF THE DROUGHT REACHES $20 BILLION

The costs caused by the heatwave and drought, which are effective in the UK and Europe in the summer months, are at least $20 billion, and the cost of flooding in China in the summer It is estimated at 12.3 billion dollars.

Due to the floods in China, 239 people were displaced.

The Australian floods in February-March are estimated to have cost at least $7.5 billion and forced more than 60,000 people to flee their homes.

COSTS ARE RISING IN EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD

Again in February, the economic damage from Storm Eunice, which took its toll across Europe and the UK, exceeded $4.3 billion, with 16 people killed by the storm.

Hurricane Fiona, which hit the Caribbean and Canada in September, also caused economic losses of at least $3 billion in two weeks. The hurricane displaced 13,000 people and killed 25.

The flood disaster in South Africa in April displaced 40,000 people and killed 459 people, in addition to causing an economic cost of at least $3 billion.

The economic damage from the year-round drought in China and Brazil was estimated to be at least $8.4 billion and $4 billion, respectively.

FLOODS AFFECTED 1.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN WEST AFRICA

The report also includes many climate disasters whose calculable economic losses are not in the top 10, but whose humanitarian impacts are high and have reached alarming proportions in terms of climate crisis.

Due to the West African floods that affected Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali and Niger, 600 people died and 1.3 million people were displaced. 1 million people fled their homes due to Cyclone Sitrang in Bangladesh.

While the drought in the Horn of Africa is estimated to have affected 36 million people, 850,000 people had to be displaced by the tropical storm in the Philippines and 70,000 people by floods in Malaysia. Floods in Brazil also displaced 1,400 people.

Extreme heat waves in India and Pakistan, storms in southeast Africa, and extreme heat waves in Chile, the Arctic, and Antarctic were also highlighted as disasters that revealed the effects of the climate crisis.

Emphasis on EMISSIONS IN COST INCREASES

In his assessment of the report, Christian Aid CEO Patrick Watt said the disasters, costing at least $3 billion each, show the bill for failing to take action on the climate crisis. “Without major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, this human and financial cost will only increase further.”

Pointing out that the human cost of climate change is seen in homes destroyed by floods, loss of life caused by storms and livelihoods damaged by drought, Watt said: “This year has been quite devastating in this regard, especially if you are among the people living on the front lines against the effects of the climate crisis.”

‘MORE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN’

Mohamed Adow, Africa director of Power Shift, a Kenya-based climate and energy think tank, noted that the climate crisis has had its effects regardless of floods, droughts, extreme heat or cyclones, and made the following evaluation:

“These disasters are proof why urgent and more ambitious action is needed in 2023. It is necessary to phase out fossil fuels, speed up renewable energy installations and further support people vulnerable to the climate crisis. For example, the people least responsible for the climate crisis in Africa are those who suffer the most from the climate crisis. Therefore, 2023 must be a year of awakening for all and the world must turn in the right direction” (AA)