Subject
The political and economic implications of greater scientific understanding of extreme weather events.
Significance
Preparatory talks for the UN climate summit in Paris have seen representatives from developing countries ask the United States and EU for greater compensation for damages caused by extreme weather. The link between climate change and more extreme weather events is clear -- energy from higher temperature levels can be translated into kinetic energy and disrupts usual weather patterns -- but distinguishing the extent of a causal connection, especially for specific events, has until recently been difficult.
Impacts
Extreme weather events will affect the insurance industry, agriculture, tourism, and food and beverage sectors.
In the United States, the South-east will see the highest risks of coastal property losses due to climate change impacts.
Hurricanes and other coastal storms combined with rising sea levels are likely to cause growing annual storm losses in the Caribbean.
Infrastructure will grow in cost as it must be proofed against new extremes in weather stress.
The Potential Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Health Impacts of Extreme Weather Events in the United States
