The Climate Council has launched its latest report, “Weather Gone Wild: Climate Change-Fuelled Extreme Weather in 2018”.
2018 was a year of wild weather both globally and in Australia. This report provides a timely analysis of the devastating impacts of extreme weather in 2018.
To slow and eventually stop the increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather, Australia needs an effective national climate policy that drives down greenhouse gas pollution deeply and rapidly as part of a global effort.
The Climate Council’s report has the following key findings:
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9 of the 10 hottest years on record in Australia have occurred since 2005.
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Climate change is increasing the frequency and/or severity of extreme weather.
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Globally, economic losses associated with weather-related disasters in 2018 are estimated to be US $215 billion
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Insurance companies in Australia paid out more than $1.2 billion in claims following major extreme weather events during 2018
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The current drought in eastern Australia is forecast to cut the country’s GDP growth in 2018-19 by up to 0.75% or $12.5 billion
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Ocean temperatures in 2018 were the warmest on record, surpassing the previous record set in 2017.
Australia is one of the most vulnerable developed countries in the world to the impacts of climate change and as extreme weather events become more frequent and/or more severe, so do their impacts.