Extreme Weather Events under Climate Change: Socioeconomic Impacts and Risk Management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18063/cef.v3i4.1025Keywords:
Extreme Weather Events, Climate Change, Socioeconomic Impacts, Risk Management, Resilient InfrastructureAbstract
Extreme weather events, which include phenomena such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, typhoons, and severe storms, are increasingly influenced by the ongoing climate change driven by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Over the past few decades, a significant increase in the frequency, intensity, and unpredictability of these events has been observed globally. Climate change has altered atmospheric circulation patterns, intensified the hydrological cycle, and increased the likelihood of prolonged weather extremes. The socioeconomic consequences of such events are multifaceted, affecting not only physical infrastructure but also agriculture, global supply chains, public health, and economic stability. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of how extreme weather events interact with socioeconomic systems. Drawing on case studies, such as the 2021 Henan floods and the 2022 European heatwave, this research integrates data from global disaster databases (e.g., EM-DAT), climate reanalysis datasets (e.g., ERA5), and economic loss models to provide a robust analysis of both direct and indirect impacts. The study further explores risk management strategies, focusing on resilient infrastructure design, climate-smart agricultural practices, the role of insurance and financial tools, and the importance of early warning systems. By bridging the gap between scientific research and policy frameworks, this work aims to contribute to the development of integrated solutions for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. This abstract highlights the critical importance of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding and mitigating the socioeconomic consequences of extreme weather events under the climate change paradigm.
References
IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Cambridge University Press.
Field, C. B., Barros, V. R., Dokken, D. J., Mach, K. J., Mastrandrea, M. D., Bilir, T. E., ... & White, L. L. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press.
Vicedo-Cabrera, A. M., Sera, F., & Gasparrini, A. (2021). The burden of heat-related mortality attributable to recent human-induced climate change. Nature Climate Change, 11(6), 492–500.
IPCC. (2022). Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press.
Hansen, J., Sato, M., & Ruedy, R. (2012). Perception of climate change. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(37), E2415–E2423.
Cutter, S. L., Ash, K. D., & Emrich, C. T. (2013). The geographies of community disaster resilience. Global Environmental Change, 29, 65–77.
Watts, N., Amann, M., Arnell, N., Ayeb-Karlsson, S., Beagley, J., Belesova, K., ... & Costello, A. (2018). The 2018 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: Shaping the health of nations for centuries to come. The Lancet, 392(10163), 2479–2514.
State Council of China. (2021). Report on the Henan flood disaster. http://www.gov.cn
FAO. (2018). The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2018. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Surminski, S., Bouwer, L. M., & Linnerooth-Bayer, J. (2020). How insurance can support climate resilience. Nature Climate Change, 10, 995–1000.
Zhao, C., Liu, B., Piao, S., Wang, X., Lobell, D. B., Huang, Y., ... & Asseng, S. (2017). Temperature increase reduces global yields of major crops in four independent estimates. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(35), 9326–9331.
Schaeffer, R., Szklo, A. S., Pereira de Lucena, A. F., Moreira Cesar Borba, B. S., Nogueira, L. P. P., Fleming, F. P., ... & Rathmann, R. (2012). Energy sector vulnerability to climate change: A review. Energy, 38(1), 1–12.
Aven, T., & Renn, O. (2010). Risk management and governance: Concepts, guidelines and applications. Springer.
Lobell, D. B., Schlenker, W., & Costa-Roberts, J. (2011). Climate trends and global crop production since 1980. Science, 333(6042), 616–620.
Trenberth, K. E., Dai, A., van der Schrier, G., Jones, P. D., Barichivich, J., Briffa, K. R., & Sheffield, J. (2015). Global warming and changes in drought. Nature Climate Change, 4(1), 17–22.
