The president of the British NGO Christian Aid, Patrick Watt, recalled that “behind the dollar figures lie millions of stories of human suffering
Bruce Hickey, 70, walks in the mobile home park where he and his wife, Kathy, have a home in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, a week after Hurricane ‘Ian’ struck
A study published yesterday by the British NGO Christian Aid establishes the ranking of the most costly climate catastrophes of 2022 from an economic point of view. The president of the entity, Patrick Watt, recalled that “behind the figures in dollars lie millions of stories of human suffering. If greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically reduced, this human and economic cost will only increase”.
10
Hurricane ‘Fiona’. €2.8 billion
On September 18, Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico. 8 people died. It continued in the Dominican Republic, with 13,000 displaced people. It also hit Bermuda and Canada with heavy damage.
9
Floods in South Africa. €2.8 billion
In April, heavy rains caused flooding in several regions. At least 459 people died and more than 40,000 were displaced. A national state of catastrophe was declared.
8
Drought in Brazil. €3,750 million
During the first quarter of the year, Brazil’s agricultural GDP fell by 8%, largely due to poor soybean and corn harvests caused by drought, with a cumulative effect for three years in a row.
7
Squall ‘Eunice’. €4 billion
In February, a cyclone caused extensive damage in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland and the United Kingdom, killing at least 16 people. The winds were record high: 196.3 km/h.
6
Floods in Pakistan. €5.3 billion
In summer, Pakistan had 37% more rainfall than the average for the monsoon season. 1.1 million head of cattle died and 3.8 million hectares of crops were destroyed.
5
Floods in Australia. €7 billion
In March, the Queensland and New South Wales regions had their year’s rainfall in one week. In April, Sydney recorded a month’s worth in a single day. 20,000 houses flooded.
4
Drought in China. €7.9 billion
Low levels of the Yangtze River, China’s largest, affected hydroelectric power generation and paralyzed shipping. There were limitations and rationing of electricity in some areas.
3
Floods in China. €11.5 billion
During the rainy season, extensive flooding occurred in various regions of the country. There were 239 deaths. The water level in Guangdong was the highest in 50 years. The factories stopped.
2
Drought in Europe. €18.8 billion
The summer of 2022 was the hottest on record in Europe. In the United Kingdom, temperatures exceeded 40ºC for the first time. Damage to agriculture and large fires. An excess of 20,000 deaths.
1
Hurricane ‘Ian’. €94 billion
On September 26, Hurricane Ian reached Cuba, causing three deaths and 30,000 evacuees. Two days later it caused the death of 130 people in Florida (USA) and the evacuation of another 10,000.
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