In 2024, climate disasters caused over 200 billion US dollars in damages, according to Christian Aid’s report. Key events include Hurricane Milton and severe storms in the US, highlighting the urgent need for global action on climate change and support for vulnerable nations. The report emphasizes the human suffering resulting from increasing climate crises, urging leaders to invest in sustainable solutions for the future.
In 2024, the cost of the ten most expensive climate disasters surpassed 200 billion US dollars, a report from Christian Aid highlights. These events, including hurricanes, floods, and storms, each incurred damages exceeding four billion US dollars. The majority of these figures stem from insured losses, suggesting that actual costs may be even higher. The charity advocates for reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased funding for impoverished nations affected by climate change.
Leading climate expert Joanna Haigh cautioned against political leaders who minimize the urgency of climate issues, asserting that such complacency contributes to global suffering. While developed nations dominate the list of costly disasters due to their higher property values and insurance uptake, another set of ten significant events occurred in poorer regions without incurring substantial financial losses. The report underscores that the intensifying frequency and severity of droughts, floods, and storms are not natural phenomena but the result of human-induced climate change.
Hurricane Milton emerged as the most financially damaging event of the year, causing 60 billion US dollars in the United States. Even excluding hurricanes, the costs associated with storms in the US exceeded 60 billion dollars. In Europe, particularly devastating floods from Storm Boris and Valencia’s floods resulted in significant casualties and damages. Globally, catastrophic floods in China and Typhoon Yagi in South-West Asia also reported substantial fatalities and damages.
Christian Aid’s chief executive, Patrick Watt, emphasized that the rising incidence of extreme weather is exacerbated by reliance on fossil fuels. By 2025, he calls for government action to expedite the green transition, reduce emissions, and fulfill financial promises made to vulnerable countries. Additionally, Dr. Mariam Zachariah, a researcher at Imperial College London, stressed that the figures represent only a fraction of climate-related disasters occurring this year, which illustrate the deepening crisis fueled by climate change.
In summary, the report indicates the economic ramifications of extreme weather, urging immediate action to address climate change and mitigate its devastating effects on vulnerable populations worldwide. The list of the costliest disasters reflects not only financial losses but the human tragedies resulting from climate-induced catastrophes.
The ten costliest climate disasters of 2024 include:
– US storms, December to January, more than 60 billion US dollars;
– Hurricane Milton in the US, October 9-13, 60 billion US dollars;
– Hurricane Helene in the US, Mexico, Cuba, 55 billion US dollars;
– China floods, June 9-July 14, 15.6 billion US dollars;
– Typhoon Yagi, September 1-9, 12.6 billion US dollars;
– Hurricane Beryl in the US, Mexico, Caribbean, 6.7 billion US dollars;
– Storm Boris in central Europe, September 12-16, 5.2 billion US dollars;
– Rio Grande do Sul floods in Brazil, April 28-May 3, 5 billion US dollars;
– Bavaria floods in Germany, June 1-7, 4.45 billion US dollars;
– Valencia floods in Spain, October 29, 4.22 billion US dollars.
The frequency and severity of climate-related disasters have drastically increased, largely attributed to climate change driven by human activities. Reports from various organizations indicate that these disasters are not only escalating in number but also in financial repercussions, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations in poorer nations. As climate conditions worsen, it is critical for global leaders to address the underlying causes and enhance support for the most affected regions.
The Christian Aid report from 2024 starkly illustrates the immense financial toll of climate-related disasters, amounting to over 200 billion US dollars. It calls for immediate action from governments to cut greenhouse gas emissions and support under-resourced nations facing climate crises. The data spotlight the dire need for a commitment to a greener future to avoid further exacerbation of these catastrophic events.
Original Source: www.standard.co.uk
