The Impact of Climate Change

Despite all efforts made in terms of climate protection, the advance of climate change is unstoppable according to many scientists. The planet has never been hotter in recorded history and it continues to increase in temperature by just over 1 degree Celsius, or about 2 degrees Fahrenheit on an annual basis, as recorded by NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. The effects of this increase in temperature are being felt everywhere.

Rising temperatures are fueling more frequent and severe natural hazards including longer and hotter heat waves, droughts, more severe wildfires, intense rainfall events, and more powerful hurricanes. The impacts of global warming are far-reaching, harming people and property around the globe. 

The Greenhouse Effect – Why Temperatures Are Rising

• Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have reflected off the earth’s surface. 
• These pollutants can last for years to centuries in the atmosphere, which traps heat in the atmosphere causing the planet to get hotter, known as the greenhouse effect. 
• The current era of global warming is directly attributable to human activity—specifically to our burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gasoline, and natural gas, which results in the greenhouse effect.
• Scientist agree that the impact of the greenhouse effect is causing more severe natural catastrophes across the globe.   

While business is immune to the impacts of global warming, below are resources to help mitigate risk and recover from an event, should one occur.

What Global Warming Means for You and Your Business? 

Climate change challenges the resiliency and stability of your business, from property damage to supply chain disruptions. A strong and proven business continuity plan is more critical than ever. Implementing a plan provides a framework for returning to normal business operations, which helps make your company less vulnerable to unexpected events. 

Before an event strikes invest time in your business continuity plan, for more resources click here.

“2030 Climate & Energy Framework.” Climate Action - European Commission, European Union, 16 Feb. 2017, ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2030_en. 

“How Climate Change Is Driving a Deep Freeze into Texas.” Earth.Org - Past | Present | Future, 18 Feb. 2021, earth.org/climate-change-is-driving-a-deep-freeze-into-texas/. 

Raupach, T.H., Martius, O., Allen, J.T. et al. The effects of climate change on hailstorms. Nat Rev Earth Environ 2, 213–226 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-020-00133-9

“Record-Breaking Atlantic Hurricane Season Draws to an End.” Record-Breaking Atlantic Hurricane Season Draws to an End | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, 24 Nov. 2020, www.noaa.gov/media-release/record-breaking-atlantic-hurricane-season-draws-to-end. 

This document is advisory in nature and is offered as a resource to be used together with your professional insurance advisors in maintaining a loss prevention program. It is an overview only, and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your insurance broker, or for legal, engineering or other professional advice.

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