A tally provided by humanitarian organization Christian Aid put the cost of the 10 most expensive weather disasters of 2021 at $170 billion (150 billion).
From deadly Hurricane Ida in the United States to devastating floods in China and Europe, environmental disasters like storms, fires and heat waves have cost the world $20 billion more this year than last, the group said on Monday.
The researchers said the increased cost is the result of climate change, and added that the 10 disasters in question also killed at least 1,075 people and displaced 1.3 million others.
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Louisiana after Hurricane Ida
The trail of destruction
The historic Karofsky Shop in the city was one of the many businesses that was destroyed by the hurricane. Governor John Bel Edwards stated that the current focus is on recovery and rescue efforts. He said that it will take time to repair the damage.
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Louisiana after Hurricane Ida
Support needed for the long-term
Theophilus Charles, 70 years old, is seen in his severely damaged home in Houma in Louisiana. The US President Joe Biden promised Washington’s long-term and full support to those affected by Hurricane Irma.
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Louisiana after Hurricane Ida
Below water
After the Category 4 hurricane struck, many homes, such as this one in Lafitte, were subject to extensive flooding. The floodwaters caused further destruction inland, leaving at most two people dead.
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Louisiana after Hurricane Ida
Rescue by air
Many people left stranded were rescued from the air by helicopters, as seen in Laplace (La. Whole neighborhoods were cut off from the outside with many roads impassible in the southwestern part of Mississippi.
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Louisiana after Hurricane Ida
Fuel stockpiling
Locals have been stocking up at local gas stations on diesel fuel and gas. It has been nearly impossible to get fuel due to the recent evacuations. This fuel is essential to run generators and generate electricity. With a population of 400,000, hundreds of thousands of Louisiana households still lack electricity.
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Louisiana after Hurricane Ida
Picking up the pieces
Many people in Louisiana have lost their entire lives. Fran Tribe is pictured with her dog Dave, in front her house in Houma that she used before Hurricane Ida. It will likely take several months to rebuild everything.
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Louisiana after Hurricane Ida
Returning to chaos
Jerilyn Collins returned home to LaPlace, where she was able to retrieve her father’s important medications and personal belongings with the assistance of the Louisiana National Guard. Only a few areas had been evacuated before Ida arrived.
Author: Claudia Dehn
“A year of climate collapse”
“The climate change costs have been severe this year,” stated Kat Kramer, climate policy leader at Christian Aid and author. “Counting the Cost 2021: A Year of Climate Breakdown”
“While it was encouraging to see some progress at the COP26 summit it is not clear. [we are] not on track to ensure a safe and prosperous world,” she said.
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The world is on fire
Russia has not shown any signs of relief
Many regions of Russia have been in flames for weeks. The most affected region is Yakutia in far northeast Russia. More than 250 fires are currently burning in Russia, covering an area of over 3.5 million hectares (8.6 millions acres).
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The world is on fire
This is not a morning mist
Locals are not the only ones suffering from the effects of fires. Dense smoke has been spotted drifting across populated areas like Krasnoyarsk, a Siberian city. This is especially difficult for children and the elderly, as it’s almost impossible to breathe outside.
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The world is on fire
Greece: We’re outta here!
Evacuees board a ferry at the port in Pefki, Euboea to embark on a journey into unknown territory. Their homes and belongings are likely to be destroyed by the time that they return. Massive air missions are being flown now to put out the flames. This is the first time in a week that the Euboea forest fires have been extinguished. Eyewitnesses have reported apocalyptic scenes.
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The world is on fire
Acts of desperation
Many local residents are willing to help firefighters, even though not everyone is fleeing. Sometimes that means desperate acts, such as this man trying to extinguish flames with a branch of a tree. These autonomous actions pose a problem for authorities as many people are in grave danger.
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The world is on fire
Turkey’s residential areas are under threat
Turkey is also facing devastating fires, just like Italy and Greece. Walls of fire are spreading across the forest to residential areas. This photo shows Turkish firefighters trying to stop a fire that threatens to spread to buildings. Turkey has seen more than 150,000 hectares of land, including entire villages, go up in flames.
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The world is on fire
United States: Dixie Fire
California’s West Coast is currently experiencing more than 5,700 fires. The typical wildfire season there hasn’t even begun yet. The Dixie Fire, which completely destroyed Greenville, is now the state’s second-largest. This photo shows a firefighter looking out for spot fires that could slow down the wildfire in the vicinity of Westwood.
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The world is on fire
Flamme fatale
California’s whirlwinds caused by ash and embers like this one that travelled through the Santa Barbara hills are causing problems. The West Coast fires are even creating their own weather. The situation is more dire than ever before and governors from affected states have turned towards Washington for help. They urgently need more firefighting aircraft as well as emergency personnel.
Author: Claudia Dehn
Hurricane Ida is the most costly natural disaster
The most expensive weather disaster of 2021 was Hurricane Ida, which hit the eastern part of the United States in the summer, causing some $65 billion in damages.
After barreling through Louisiana at the end of August, it made its way northward, resulting in extensive flooding in New York City and the surrounding area.
Germany’s worst floods for decades
In July, heavy rains fell across western Germany, causing unprecedented flooding. The state of Rhineland-Palatinate was particularly hard hit, along with the neighboring countries of Belgium & the Netherlands.
Small streams and rivers turned into torrential currents, which decimated entire villages. In what was one of the most devastating natural disasters in living memory, dams threatened to burst while electricity and cellphone networks were cut off. Over 180 people died in Germany alone, and many more lost their homes and belongings.
According to Christian Aid’s report, the devastating flooding in Western Europe cost $43 billion.
North America, Turkey felt the heat
A winter storm in Texas that took out the state’s power grid caused $23 billion in damages, followed by flooding in China’s Henan province in July, which cost an estimated $17.6 billion.
Other disasters costing several billion dollars include flooding in western Canada, a late spring freeze in France that damaged vineyards and a cyclone that struck India and Bangladesh in May.
From punishing heat in North America, to wildfires raging across the Mediterranean, to record-breaking floods in Europe and Asia, 2021’s weather disasters brought home the reality of climate change, according to environmental experts.
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Philippines: Typhoon Rai pictures
We urgently need emergency aid
Local authorities have made urgent appeals for emergency aid to be sent out to the areas affected by Typhoon Rai. Bohol’s governor pleaded for emergency aid to be sent amid growing hunger and fears about looting.
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Philippines: Typhoon Rai pictures
Surigao City destroyed
Typhoon Rai had winds of 195 kilometers (121 mi) an hour. Trucks were thrown onto their sides, trees uprooted, and power lines were damaged. An effort is underway to restore power and cell reception.
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Philippines: Typhoon Rai pictures
Residents sort through homes that have been destroyed
Many of the typhoon victims were killed by collapsed structures and trees. Many were also affected in flash floods. The death toll will continue to rise, as many more people are still missing.
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Philippines: Typhoon Rai pictures
Emergency crews are on the ground to restore power
In many areas, Typhoon Rai caused severe damage to critical infrastructure. Residents are struggling to get money from banks and there have been long lines for fuel and food. The government has not requested international assistance.
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Philippines: Typhoon Rai pictures
Waiting for water
Residents in the affected areas have been waiting in line for water and other necessities. There are fears that if basic necessities are not met, people might resort to looting.
Author: Kieran Burke
jsi/dj (AFP, Reuters)
