By Vijay Jayaraj
Despite widespread fears of climate change causing natural disasters, weather-related deaths have fallen dramatically.
According to the Emergency Events Database, total global deaths per decade from climate disasters have fallen by more than 96% since the 1920s. Data shows that between 1960 and 2020, there was a decrease in climate-related deaths compared to the period between 1920 and 1959.
This decline is even more impressive given that the global population has more than quadrupled during this period, from about 2 billion in 1920 to nearly 8 billion in 2020.
The dramatic reduction in fatalities is not just a statistic; it represents a fundamental improvement in our species’ ability to adapt and withstand the forces of nature. It is a story of victory over adversity and innovation in the face of danger.
Why Death Has Fallen
For millennia, the whims of weather patterns dictated the rise and fall of civilizations, determined harvest success, and all too often, claimed many lives. However, the 20th century marked an important turning point in this age-old struggle.
One of the most important factors in reducing mortality is the dramatic strengthening of infrastructure, especially in developing countries. The World Meteorological Organization’s “State of the Global Climate 2023” notes that early warning systems and better disaster management continue to reduce the number of deaths due to extreme weather events.
Bangladesh, once notorious for cyclone-related deaths, has seen a reduction in casualties. In 1970, Cyclone Bhola killed an estimated 300,000-500,000 people. Unlike Cyclone Amphan in 2020, although it caused significant damage, it caused less than 100 deaths in Bangladesh, mainly due to early warning and evacuation procedures.
The Netherlands, where most of the land is under the sea, has been a pioneer in flood control. A system of dikes, dams, and storm surge barriers, including the famous Maeslant structure near Rotterdam, effectively protects the country from catastrophic flooding.
In the United States, the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project, which began after the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, has prevented billions of dollars in flood damage. Similar projects around the world, from China’s Three Gorges Dam to London’s Thames Barrier, have saved countless lives.
In hurricane-prone areas, buildings are now designed to withstand high winds and flying debris. The implementation of strict building codes in Florida after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 significantly reduced structural damage during subsequent storms.
In addition, earthquake-resistant construction techniques have saved many lives in seismically active areas. Japan’s strict building codes, which require structures to withstand severe earthquakes, have reduced casualties from seismic events.
Drought used to be one of the most dangerous climatic events, even ending the rule of a famous empire. Today, advances in technology and agricultural practices have reduced deaths from famine caused by drought. For example, the development of drought-resistant maize has benefited millions of farmers in Africa.
Misreporting Causes Damage Fans Fear
However, despite the unprecedented decline in natural disasters, some say the economic costs of natural disasters are rising. It is true that monetary losses are increasing, but this is partly due to a lack of planning that exposes increasingly valuable properties to the risk of flooding and storm surges.
A classic example of this is the Indian city of Chennai (formerly Madras), where flooding has become a regular occurrence due to the poor state of infrastructure. The city’s newest construction zone is in an area where water accumulates naturally, putting residents at risk during heavy rains.
Living in the same town some time ago, I found myself swimming in knee-deep water to retrieve my belongings from a parking lot where the floodwaters rose up to my waist.
A simple analysis shows that Chennai’s heavy rains have happened many times over the decades. The repeated floods in this city, and others, are mainly due to mismanagement, not climate change.
When applied, human ingenuity has been very successful in combating natural threats. The weakness of man in this story is his failure to apply his knowledge appropriately instead of ignoring the uncontrollable climate.
This comment was first published on The American Thinker on September 29, 2024.
Vijay Jayaraj is Associate Science and Research at Co2 coalitionArlington, Virginia. They holds an MS in environmental science from the University of East Anglia and a postgraduate degree in energy management from Robert Gordon University, both in England, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Anna University, India.
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