10 climate disasters in 2022 caused at least $200 billion in economic losses
Anton Kovačić
While the world has been shaken by the climate disasters this year, Christian Aid’s report titled “The Cost of 2022: The Year the Climate Collapsed” estimates that each of the most devastating disasters is at least 3 billion dollars. Hurricane Ian, which affected the USA and Cuba, ranks first with an economic loss of more than 100 billion dollars, while it is stated that the total cost of the 10 climate disasters is at least 200 billion dollars. More than 1,700 people died due to floods in Pakistan While the real costs of climate disasters are expected to be higher since the costs are calculated only according to the losses covered by insurance, it is stated that the rate of coverage of climate disasters, which have the highest economic costs, is higher in developed countries with high insurance coverage. In addition, the costs covered by insurance are observed to be low in developing countries, which have less impact on climate change compared to developed countries. According to the report, the economic cost of Hurricane Ian, which affected the southern coasts of the USA and Cuba, cost at least 100 billion dollars. In addition, the number of people forced to migrate due to the hurricane exceeds 40 thousand. On the other hand, the economic cost of the floods in Pakistan between June and September is calculated as 30 billion dollars according to the World Bank estimates. However, the cost covered by the insurance is at least 5.6 billion dollars. It is stated that while more than 1,700 people lost their lives due to the flood, at least 7 million people had to leave their places of residence. Storm Eunice inflicted $4.3 billion in economic damage Another of the most fundamental problems of 2022, heat wave and drought, has had an impact in the UK and Europe with a cost of at least 20 billion dollars in the summer months. On the other hand, the cost of the floods, which took effect in China during the summer and caused the displacement of 239 people, is calculated to be at least 12.3 billion dollars. While the cost of the floods that occurred in Australia in February-March is calculated as at least 7.5 billion dollars, more than 60 thousand people are thought to be forced to migrate for this reason. It is stated that the economic damage of the Eunice Storm, which was effective in Europe and the United Kingdom in February and caused the death of 16 people, exceeded 4.3 billion dollars. Loss of at least $3 billion in two weeks It is stated that Hurricane Fiona, which took effect in the Caribbean and Canada in September, caused at least 3 billion dollars of economic loss within two weeks. It is also seen that the hurricane caused the death of 25 people and forced 13 thousand people to leave their places of residence. It is also calculated that the economic cost of drought in China and Brazil that will continue through 2022 is at least $8.4 billion and $4 billion, respectively. In the report, which includes many climate disasters whose economic losses are not in the top 10, but whose humanitarian impacts are high and which reach unsettling dimensions in terms of climate crisis, 600 people lost their lives due to the West African floods that affected Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali and Niger, 1, 3 million people are said to have been displaced. Again, according to the report, it is stated that 1 million people had to leave their homes due to the Sitrang Cyclone in Bangladesh. It is estimated that drought in the Horn of Africa also affects 36 million people. It is stated that the tropical storm in the Philippines caused the displacement of 850 thousand people, the floods in Malaysia 70,000 people, and the floods in Brazil caused the displacement of 1,400 people. Commenting on the report, Christian Aid Chief Executive (CEO), Patrick Watt, stated that the disasters, each costing at least 3 billion dollars, show the bill of not taking action against the climate crisis, and said: “Behind the dollar figures, there is the story of the loss and suffering of millions of people. Without major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, this human and financial cost will only increase even more.” Watt said that the human cost of climate change is seen in homes destroyed by floods, loss of life caused by storms and livelihoods damaged by drought, “especially in response to the effects of the climate crisis. “If you’re among the people living on the front lines, this year has been pretty devastating in that regard,” he says. 2023 should be the year of awakening for everyone Mohamed Adow, Africa Director of Power Shift, a climate and energy think tank headquartered in Kenya, emphasized that the climate crisis has had an impact regardless of flood, drought, extreme hot weather or cyclone, and said, “Why do these disasters occur urgently and more assertively in 2023? evidence of action. There is a need to phase out fossil fuels, accelerate renewable energy installations and further support those vulnerable to the climate crisis. For example, the people least responsible for the climate crisis in Africa are those who suffer the most from the climate crisis. Therefore, 2023 should be a year of awakening for everyone and the world should turn its direction in the right direction.
