From floods to extreme heat, 10 of the worst climate-linked disasters in 2018 caused at least $184.8 billion worth of damage, said a study released by the charity Christian Aid on Thursday. Experts say a warming world will lead to sweltering heatwaves, more extreme rainfall, shrinking harvests and worsening water shortages, causing both monetary losses and human misery. The report’s authors collated total cost figures using data from sources including governments, banks and insurance firms, though in some cases the figures only covered insured losses and also failed to take account of the human costs of such events. They added that rising temperatures would continue to drive extreme weather events as they urged action to prevent further global warming, which would impact the poorest and most vulnerable communities hardest. Credit: THE YEARS PROJECT
