Global Disasters Likely to Increase Going Forward, according to UN Report

Disasters, both natural and man-made, across the globe will become more frequent and produce greater destruction as the world’s increasing interconnectedness facilitates cascading impacts across geographies and sectors, a new UN report finds. The new study released this week, Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2022, seeks to answer how governance systems can evolve to better address the systemic risks of the future. The report found that based on current trend lines the world could go from around 400 disasters per year in 2015 to more than 560 a year by 2030. By comparison from 1970 to 2000, the world experienced just 90 to 100 medium to large scale disasters a year. Additionally, there will be 30 percent more droughts by 2030 compared to 2001, straining already stressed water supplies.

The report offers several solutions to combat the increasing risk of disasters. First, the report argues for reframing the way society understands risk and how risk is communicated across vulnerable communities. Second, changing how we invest in disaster preparedness can create stronger systems and increase communal resilience the report contends. For instance, currently around 90 percent of spending on disasters consists of emergency relief, with only 6 percent spent on reconstruction and 4 percent on prevention. Third, work to reduce the effects of climate change. And fourth, reduce the vulnerability, exposure, and inequality that drive devasting disaster impacts. Access the full report at the UN or read more at AP News.