Christian Aid reports that the ten most expensive climate disasters of 2024 caused over 200 billion US dollars in damage, primarily due to hurricanes, floods, and extreme weather intensified by climate change. Hurricane Milton was the worst, costing 60 billion US dollars. The report urges immediate action to address rising emissions and supports for climate-vulnerable countries.
In 2024, the costliest climate disasters, as reported by Christian Aid, accumulated damages exceeding 200 billion US dollars. The charity’s analysis identified ten major events, each inflicting over 4 billion US dollars in damages, primarily focusing on insured losses, which likely underrepresent the total financial impact. Several politicians continue to downplay the urgency of the climate crisis, endangering their constituencies and contributing to global suffering. The report underscores the need for robust actions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and increase financial support for vulnerable countries facing climate change challenges.
Among the devastating events, Hurricane Milton emerged as the most expensive, generating losses of 60 billion US dollars when it struck the United States in October. Furthermore, Hurricane Helene caused damages amounting to 55 billion US dollars during its impact in late September across the United States, Mexico, and Cuba. The staggering financial toll of natural disasters was not confined to hurricanes; the report reveals that even excluding hurricane-related damages, other storm events tallied over 60 billion dollars in losses throughout the year.
European nations were also significantly affected, with Storm Boris causing extensive flooding in central Europe in September, followed by another tragic flooding event in Valencia, Spain, resulting in the loss of 226 lives. Meanwhile, casualties were seen in other regions, including China, where floods claimed 315 lives, and Typhoon Yagi, which resulted in over 800 fatalities in South-West Asia. Notably, Cyclone Chido impacted Mayotte in December with a catastrophic toll, though it did not rank among the highest in financial losses, reportedly killing more than 1,000 individuals.
The report highlights that the challenges did not end with financial losses. Heatwaves impacted 33 million people in Bangladesh, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsened, floods affected 6.6 million individuals in West Africa, and the worst drought in living memory inflicted suffering on over 14 million people across Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
Christian Aid’s chief executive, Patrick Watt remarked, “There is nothing natural about the growing severity and frequency of droughts, floods and storms. Disasters are being supercharged by decisions to keep burning fossil fuels, and to allow emissions to rise.” The report concludes with a call for urgent action by governments to transition towards greener energy, reduce emissions, and address the financial commitments made to the most climate-vulnerable nations.
Prof. Joanna Haigh and Dr. Mariam Zachariah both emphasized the critical nature of these findings, indicating that climate change’s fingerprints are evident in extreme weather events globally. Haigh expressed the view that the economic ramifications of such disasters should serve as a wake-up call for immediate action, while Zachariah underscored the ongoing challenges posed by increasingly frequent natural disasters, highlighting the need for ongoing climate analysis and response.
The top ten climate disasters of 2024 represent a dangerous trend that illustrates the linkage between climate change and natural disasters, demanding immediate and substantial action to mitigate future impacts.
The issue of climate change and its resulting disasters has garnered increasing attention as global events correlate with rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns. In 2024, the escalating financial toll of climate-related disasters became apparent through a comprehensive report by Christian Aid, underscoring the financial implications and human casualties associated with these extreme weather events. The charity emphasized that many events cost billions, impacting poorer nations severely despite their lack of financial representation due to lower property values and insurance coverage. Thus, the report serves as both a warning and a call to action for governments and stakeholders to address climate change more decisively.
In summary, the report presented by Christian Aid on the climate disasters of 2024 reveals that the financial toll exceeded 200 billion US dollars, underscoring the urgent need for strategic action to combat climate change. With severe weather events increasingly linked to climate change and disproportionately affecting vulnerable countries, it is crucial for global leaders to prioritize emergency preparedness, sustainable practices, and financial commitments to mitigate future impacts. Only through concerted efforts can the cycle of devastation be broken and the escalating crisis addressed effectively.
Original Source: www.irishnews.com
