Over the past fifty years, the number of deaths from extreme weather has declined worldwide. Where in the 1970s 50,000 people died in these situations every year, in 2020 and 2021 there were a total of 22,000. There is, however, an increase in economic damage.
In total, just over twelve thousand disasters have occurred since 1970 that were caused by weather, water or climate change. This is evident from new data of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
According to the UN organization, the main reason for the decrease in the number of deaths is smarter warning systems. You can think of the role of the KNMI weather institute here. That warns at risk of slipperiness or a storm, for example.
As an example, the WMO cites cyclone Mocha, which raged across Southeast Asia at the beginning of this month. This was the strongest storm in the region since 2008. The Myanmar government estimated the number of fatalities in the country at 145. However, the numbers quoted by the military government are still being questioned. For example, aid organizations previously said that there are at least four hundred deaths.
Similar storms in the past have killed tens to hundreds of thousands of people. Because residents have been warned more often in time in recent years, they can flee or be evacuated.
Economic damage is increasing, developing countries hit hard
Although the number of deaths is decreasing, the economic damage is increasing. Between 1970 and 2019, the cost of that damage increased sevenfold worldwide. The United States suffered the greatest damage in recent decades, accounting for 39 percent of the total.
Despite the large share of the US, the WMO warns that developing countries are disproportionately affected. “The most vulnerable communities bear the brunt of weather and climate disasters,” Secretary-General Petteri Paalas said.
The economic damage caused by extreme weather amounted to about 0.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in rich countries. In developing countries, this amounted to 5 to 30 percent of GDP. Within that category, small island states suffered the most. There, the damage could amount to 100 percent of GDP.
The United Nations wants to ensure that everyone in the world has access to a functioning warning system by 2027.
2023-05-22 14:31:45
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