Escalating costs of billion-dollar disasters in the US: Climate change necessitates disaster risk reduction

• DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2022.100201
• Publication Date: 2023-01-04T07:44:02Z
• Authors: Vijai Bhola; Attila Hertelendy; Alexander Hart; Syafwan Bin Adnan; Gregory Ciottone
• Keywords: Liberian dollar

The United States (US) spends a staggering amount on costs secondary to natural disasters, over $2 trillion between 1980 and 2021, during which time 15,347 disaster related deaths also occurred [1]. We assess the relationship CO2, temperature, number economic of billion-dollar events in US this period. Data annual inflation-adjusted disasters US, global CO2 levels, average fatalities were obtained from National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for period 1980–2021. Spearman's correlation (rs) was calculated analyze these variables. Over 41-year period, all increased are strongly correlated. rate along with increases (Spearman's (rs)=0.841) temperature (rs =0.748). levels have past 4 decades positively correlated total cost due disasters. This strong suggests that will continue increase their burden, so measures needed mitigate those costs. recommend focus Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) as an immediate savings measure, keeping Nations UN Sustainable Development Goals recommendations. Additional research healthcare associated is needed.