The world has suffered $41 billion in losses from extreme weather in just  six months. 

This alarming statement from Christian Aid emphasizes the need for climate change action now. Inaction leaves people dead, livelihoods devastated, and economies ravaged. 

Worldwide communities have been impacted by extreme weather situations during the previous six months. Heatwaves, floods, and cyclones have wrecked coastlines and cities. The scale of destruction shows how climate change has devastated.

Christian Aid's data examines four notable extreme weather events that have affected populations globally. Brazilian floods killed 169 and cost $7 billion. South and southwest Asian flooding in the UAE killed 214 people and incurred $850 million in insured damages. Heatwaves in Asia killed nearly 1,500 people in Myanmar, while cyclones in east Africa killed 559.

Since these numbers only include insured losses, it is quite probable that the actual amount of damage caused by extreme weather occurrences is substantially greater. Why? Because a lot of people and companies, especially in the countries that are most at risk from climate change, don't have insurance to pay for damages. Consequently, they are left without any means of financial assistance and must endure the worst of these catastrophes.

Deaths caused by heat are also grossly underreported in many nations, as the report points out. Because of this, it's hard to know how many lives were lost as a result of these incidents. Many people and companies do not have insurance, and inaccurate reporting makes these catastrophes even more financially and socially devastating.

Urgent action is more necessary than ever before as the entire world gathers in Bonn, Germany, for the second week of global climate negotiations.

 The research stresses that countries with higher incomes must help those with lower incomes and climate vulnerability by providing them with financial and practical aid. Christian Aid's global advocacy head Mariana Paoli stressed that wealthy nations must increase their financing for climate action and put a halt to the global spread of fossil fuels.

The world is running out of time.

There is an obvious need for quick action because the repercussions of doing nothing are catastrophic. We need to join forces to make the switch to renewable energy and increase our resistance to climate change. 

Now is the moment to take action, not make excuses.

[1] Extreme weather since COP28 causes over $41 billion in global damage: Report. The Business Standard. (2024, June 10). 

[2] Holder, M. (2024, June 9). Report: World hit by $41bn of extreme weather damage this year. BusinessGreen News.