However we have seen South-est Spain hit by huge storms causing deaths likely to be in 3 figures. The insurance claims will be more interesting from a practical, change scenario. Taiwan is preparing for the strongest typhoon this century, Typhoon Kong-Rey could bring devastating floods when it reaches the highlands which are above 3000m.
The insurance claims are averaging $81billion for the period 2012-21. Will these claims bring about a consensus for change? I thought so but am now older and more cynical – whilst oil company profits continue to boost the wealth of the money insurance companies have invested there is no reason to panic – costs can be passed on to the punters in the line of fire. Only when the disasters become more frequent in a geographical area do the insurance companies act. This has happened in the UK where some houses have been regularly hit by floods and are now uninsurable.
However it is not just major events that affect economies and lives. 2024 has been wet! Bristol had had the yearly average rainfall by the end of September, and October has been wet (although we can expect a drier period for a few days at least. This weather has affected not only farmers and food prices and therefore us all, but also industries like tourism and hospitatlity.