How can we protect people from climate change's 4 greatest threats?

Nov 12, 2021

By 2050, about 400 million people could be exposed to severe riverine or coastal flooding. Image: REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

Lori Fomenko

Manager of Research Science, McKinsey & Company

Mekala Krishnan

Senior Fellow, McKinsey Global Institute, McKinsey & Company

Oliver Walker

Director, Vivid Economics

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Proportion of global population affected by climate hazards under different warming scenarios.

Even in moderate warming scenarios, severe climate hazards are likely to become much more common. Image: McKinsey Analysis

Number of people, billions, exposed to mild, moderate and severe heat stress.

In 2.0°C warming scenario, an additional 1.6 billion people could be exposed to heat stress by 2050. Image: McKinsey Analysis

Global urban water stress, billions of people.

By 2050, water stress is projected to increase as demand will outplace supply Image: McKinsey Analysis

Share of company population exposed to climate hazards in a scenario with warming 2.0°C above preindustrial levels by 2050.

Over half the global population could be exposed to a climate hazard. Image: McKinsey Analysis

Population exposed to climate hazards by vulnerability grouping by 2050.

Climate hazards cold affect a large number of people in low-income countries. Image: McKinsey Analysis

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How can we protect people from climate change's 4 greatest threats?

Nov 12, 2021

Harry Bowcott

Lori Fomenko

Alastair Hamilton

Mihir Mysore

Alexis Trittipo

Mekala Krishnan

Oliver Walker

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Explore and monitor how SDG 13: Climate Action is affecting economies, industries and global issues

Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale