Decades ago, the severity of current natural disasters around the world would have been seen as rogue phenomenons — natural anomalies out of our control. But the ones occurring today are of our own creation.
These days, it seems extreme weather phenomena is happening everywhere — all the time. And that’s because it is. While much of it occurs naturally, climate change has aided in the creation of a frightening beast: bigger, badder and more frequent storms. Where they once occurred every 82 days, extreme events now occur an average of every 18 days.
Who is at risk?
This puts millions at risk each year — nearly 10% of global deaths are linked to extreme weather and 40% of the global population face critical states because of these events — including severe hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Those of lower socioeconomic statuses are impacted most when these disasters strike, and it is especially apparent when these communities work to recover; inequality may be further perpetuated for those regions with weaker economic and political stability. According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Somalia, Syria, DRC, Afghanistan, Yemen, Chad, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Nigeria, and Ethiopia are most at risk from climate-related disasters today.
