These days, there are stories of extreme weather everywhere you look. However, crucial details are often overlooked: from the consequences of this weather, we are safer than ever. [emphasis, links added]
There was a time when extreme weather events caused huge deaths in the United States that were frustrating
However, in the past 85 years, only three such events have occupied more than 1,000 lives: Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Maria and the 1980 heat wave.
There is a reason for this.
The most important factor in determining the destructiveness of a natural disaster is not its intensity, but its degree of protection for people on their roads. In this regard, the situation has improved a lot….
Since 2000, better building regulations have hurt about $1.6 billion in losses each year. The progress of hurricane prediction and early modification of the system provides more preparation time for people.
Having air conditioning in nearly 90% of U.S. homes have severely reduced the risk of extreme heat.
Although you often hear that the economic damage from extreme weather is growing, you usually don’t hear why.
No more property was destroyed than in the past. This is the property that was destroyed is more valuable than before.
In the apple-to-apple comparison, the amount of economic damage caused by disasters has decreased by more than 75% in recent years.
So the good news is: We are safer than we thought.
While we still need to be alert for natural disasters and take the climate seriously, the fear of the impending revelation is exaggerated.
Learn more on kites and key media
