Climate Action

These 5 charts explore the human impact on extreme weather

Flood waters caused by Tropical Storm Harvey encompass the Motiva Enterprises LLC in Port Arthur, Texas, U.S. August 31, 2017. REUTERS/Adrees Latif - RC1254851E70

It's not an exact science, but it's science: humans are partly to blame for worsening weather Image: REUTERS/Adrees Latif

Callum Brodie

Linking specific extreme weather events to global warming is difficult, and this plays into the hands of climate-change deniers.

In the past couple of weeks, tropical storms have devastated communities around the world. Hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc in Texas, destroying homes and claiming lives. Typhoon Hato has left a similar trail of destruction in southern China and Hong Kong.

There is a strong argument to be made that humans are at least partly responsible for both of these extreme weather events. The problem is it’s often difficult to produce tangible evidence.

What we do know for sure, however, is that climate change enhances storm surges and causes flooding – both of which can have devastating consequences.

Interstate highway 45 is submerged from the effects of Hurricane Harvey seen during widespread flooding in Houston, Texas, U.S. August 27, 2017. REUTERS/Richard Carson     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1BA1656450
Parts of Texas remain submerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Image: REUTERS/Richard Carson

Spike in carbon emissions

This chart, which was produced by NASA, shows the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide – or C02, to give it its chemical formula – over the past 400,000 years.

As human activity gathered momentum in the mid 20th century – in the form of growing populations and the rise of heavy industry – carbon emissions also followed an upward trajectory.

The heat-trapping nature of carbon dioxide has created a warming effect. This has coincided with an uptick in the number and scale of natural disasters such as droughts, floods, wildfires and storms.

CO2 levels have increased rapidly since the 1950s Image: NASA

These countries produce the most C02

It will come as no surprise to learn that China and the United States are the most prolific carbon emitters. Both countries are among those with the biggest populations, the most factories and the highest number of cars.

China produces more carbon emissions than any other country Image: US Energy Information Administration

The same countries suffer the most natural disasters

Interestingly, it is those same countries that top the table in terms of carbon emissions that have experienced the highest number of hydrological, meteorological and climatological disasters in recent years.

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), China, the US and India were among the countries worst hit by extreme weather events from 1995 to 2015.

Large parts of Africa and Europe have so far been relatively unscathed by the onslaught of these types of natural disasters.

China, the US and India have suffered the highest number of natural disasters in recent times Image: UNISDR

More floods than ever before

As the atmosphere gets warmer it absorbs more moisture – this works out at roughly 7% more for every 1℃ rise in temperature. The end result is worse flooding.

Higher sea levels in turn lead to bigger storm surges, such as those that have caused devastation in Texas and southern China.

It’s no coincidence that an increase in carbon emissions coincides with a steady rise in the number of hydrological disasters over recent years.

2016 saw an increase in the number of hydrological disasters around the world Image: Munich Re

The cost of catastrophe

It has been estimated previously that flooding could cost coastal cities around $1 trillion per year by the year 2050.

Yet again, it is towns and cities in the US and China that are expected to bear the brunt.

 Coastal regions in China, the US and India are likely to suffer the highest flood losses in the years ahead
Image: ‘Future Flood Losses in Major Coastal Cities’ report
Have you read?
Don't miss any update on this topic

Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.

Sign up for free

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

Stay up to date:

Climate Crisis

Related topics:
Climate ActionNature and Biodiversity
Share:
The Big Picture
Explore and monitor how Climate Crisis is affecting economies, industries and global issues
A hand holding a looking glass by a lake
Crowdsource Innovation
Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale
World Economic Forum logo
Global Agenda

The Agenda Weekly

A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda

Subscribe today

You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. For more details, review our privacy policy.

How climate change and water stress is risking the semiconductor supply chain

Josh Lepawsky and Helen Millman

December 2, 2024

What are keystone species, and why do they matter?

About us

Engage with us

  • Sign in
  • Partner with us
  • Become a member
  • Sign up for our press releases
  • Subscribe to our newsletters
  • Contact us

Quick links

Language editions

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Sitemap

© 2024 World Economic Forum