As our planet undergoes unprecedented environmental shifts, understanding the connections between climate change and extreme weather phenomena becomes increasingly vital. From hurricanes and wildfires to heatwaves and flooding, extreme events are becoming more frequent and intense, posing significant challenges to communities worldwide. We will delve into the scientific evidence and mechanisms behind the escalating frequency and severity of extreme events in a changing climate. How are rising global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and shifting atmospheric dynamics influencing the occurrence and intensity of extreme weather events? This panel promises to deepen your understanding of the urgent challenges posed by climate change–induced extreme events and inspire collective action toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
As climate change intensifies, understanding and measuring the physical risks associated with changing climate are paramount. With 2023 being the hottest year on record, and the U.S. experiencing extreme weather events costing over $150 billion annually, managing and adapting to physical climate risks is becoming increasingly critical. We have already seen power and other energy infrastructure suffering serious damage due to extreme events such as wildfires and floods. Companies will experience significant financial costs over the coming decades due to physical climate risks, driving the application of new technologies and methodologies to more accurately quantify these risks. How can we start to apply these new technologies and methods to manage physical risk in a warming world?
That climate is changing is well understood and accepted; however, bending the emissions curve has proven to be far more challenging and the world is on a path to be well above 1.5- and 2-degree C. Is the 1.5 degree C goal helping or getting in the way of finding climate solutions?