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Snapshot 5:Tue, Jul 29, 2025 9:01:13 PM GMT last edited by SofiaLanfri

Global Natural Disasters Cost $131B in First Half of 2025

Global Natural Disasters Cost $131B in First Half of 2025

Above: A brush fire burns near homes in Pacific Palisades, California, on Jan. 7, 2025. Image copyright: David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

TheseAlthough staggeringclimate losseschange highlightmay theappear urgentto needbe forcausing bettergreater disasterdamage, preparednessthis is primarily due to rising property values, increased urbanization and climatehigher adaptation.population Thedensity recordin disaster-breakingprone wildfireareas, andrather athan statean lawintensification thatof forcesnatural privateevents insurers tofactors keepthat ratesreports artificiallylike low,this whichoften leavesoverlook. homeownersHistorical withoutrecords coverageindicate andthat publicnatural optionsvariability potentiallyhas insolvent.existed Insurancelong cannotbefore bailindustrial usemissions, outraising ofdoubts about whether the climaterecent crisissurges withoutin realcosts actionare takentruly linked to fightclimate ittrends.

WhileThese staggering losses appearhighlight alarming,the theyurgent actuallyneed decreasedfor frombetter $155disaster billionpreparedness inand theclimate firstadaptation. halfCalifornia's ofrecord-breaking 2024wildfire to $131compounded billionby ina 2025.state Thelaw insurancethat industryforces private insurers to keep rates artificially low — has successfullyleft adaptedmany tohomeowners coverwithout 61%coverage and public programs on the brink of totalinsolvency. lossesInsurance alone, providinghowever, crucialcannot financialshield protectionthe world from the climate crisis. ModernWithout riskbold, assessmentproactive andmeasures pricingto mechanismsaddress helpits distributeroot costscauses, effectivelyfinancial acrosssafety thenets globalwill marketcontinue to unravel.

ThereAlthough isclimate achange 50%may chanceappear thatto thebe totalcausing greater damage, incurredthis byis climateprimarily changedue to rising property values, increased urbanization and higher population density in thedisaster-prone 21stareas, centuryrather willthan bean 16.5%intensification of thenatural worldevents gross domesticfactors productthat reports like this often overlook. Historical records indicate that natural variability has existed long before industrial emissions, accordingraising todoubts about whether the Metaculusrecent predictionsurges communityin costs are truly linked to climate trends.

Metaculus Prediction

There is a 50% chance that the total damage incurred by climate change in the 21st century will be at least 16.5% of the world gross domestic product, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


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