Thought of the Day

The $38-Trillion-per-year Cost of Climate Change


 
7 February 2025
 
The Potsdam Institute for climate impact research (backed by the German Government) estimates the increasing damage from rising temperatures and changes in rainfall is likely to reach $38 trillion per year by 2050. This cost burden is already being felt, as illustrated by rising insurance premiums. Whilst the overall burden is very high, some countries are far more vulnerable to this damage than others. The chart below shows a selection of countries ranging from the least to the most likely to be impacted.

Vulnerability of Select Countries to Climate Change
Higher scores represent higher vulnerability.
The $38-Trillion-per-year Cost of Climate Change
The $38-Trillion-per-year Cost of Climate Change


The Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative has found that the most vulnerable economies are predominately in Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. The best prepared countries are judged to be those in North America and Europe.  See more Environmental Data...


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