Americans need to acknowledge the increasing risk of climate disasters and take proactive measures to prepare for them.
In short:
- Extreme weather events like tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, posing significant risks to communities across the United States.
- While infrastructure and forecasting have improved, many people still underestimate their vulnerability and fail to prepare adequately, risking their safety during disasters.
- Establishing a "culture of preparedness" that involves education and coordinated disaster response plans can help reduce the impact of these climate-related events.
Key quote:
“If we leave people behind, it’s a failure.”
— Abdul-Akeem Sadiq, professor of public policy at the University of Central Florida.
Why this matters:
With climate change intensifying natural disasters, the number of affected individuals will likely increase. Effective preparedness and response strategies can save lives, prevent property damage and enhance community resilience.
