Escalating Climate Change Means More Severe Weather. Here’s How You Can Prepare While Keeping Sustainability in Mind

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet today. Its effects are widespread, but perhaps the most alarming is the increase in natural disasters. From hurricanes and storm surge to wildfires and tornados, the impact of climate change on our environment has led to a rise in extreme weather events that cause destruction. In 2022 alone, climate-fueled disasters cost the United States $165 billion in damages.

It’s no longer a matter of if – but when – disaster will strike. In fact, countries making up 90% of America’s population were affected by a federally declared disaster between 2011-2021 according to new report.

This Earth Day (April 22) serves as a reminder of how climate change impacts the growing severity of natural disasters and why you should take sustainable steps to better prepare your home for emergencies.

How Climate Change Alters Natural Disasters

Climate change is marked by a warmer global temperature, sea levels rising and widespread weather pattern alterations.

Scientific studies show that extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent and intense as a result of human-induced climate change and have devasting effects on communities globally. Let’s take a closer look at just a few types of severe weather events that are intensified by climate change…

Hurricanes: Rising global temperatures means that sea temperatures are also increasing. This not only causes the sea levels to rise, but it can alter weather patterns to have more severe and frequent hurricanes and storm surge.

Here’s how it works: As the air continues to warm, hurricanes can hold more water vapor, which leads to rainfall rates escalating. This can have devastating impacts on communities where hurricanes are common like southeastern U.S. Hurricane Ian itself caused $18 billion in damage last year, along with almost 500 lives lost.

Wildfires: On the opposite side of the country, wildfires are also becoming more common. Data shows that the number of large fires between 1984 and 2015 doubled and points to climate change as the main driver of wildfires. When vegetation dries out – as a result of more droughts and hotter global temperatures ­– they’re much more likely to catch fire. Longer and more active fire seasons are now common because the world is experiencing warmer, drier conditions.

Winter storms: The winter months are getting colder and winter weather is lasting longer, but that’s actually an expected result of climate change. A warmer planet means added moisture in the air – leading to more precipitation in the form of severe winter storms. With frigid air also comes ice that can clog your gutters and lead to water build up that could seep back into your house or even form on powers lines that could fall and harm your home.

Tips to Sustainably Prep for Extreme Weather

While it can feel like climate change is overwhelming, there are ways to prepare for natural disasters so you can come out protected on the other side. And with Earth Day in mind, here are a few ideas to prepare while keeping sustainability at the forefront:

  • Rethink what’s included in your emergency kit. Your emergency kit should include water (enough for one gallon per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation), non-perishable food, flashlights and a first aid kit. You can take measures to make these items more sustainable, such as swapping in large reusable jugs for single-use plastic water bottles. You can also consider purchasing a hand-crank flashlight that doesn’t require batteries. Not only is it environmentally sound, but it’s also practical since you don’t have to worry about running out of power.
  • Consider making upgrades to your home like installing energy efficient windows that are also reinforced so they can better protect against wind damage from a winter storm, tornado or hurricanes. You can also consider eco-friendly insulation alternatives made from renewable resources, which can maintain heat in your home in case you lose power in a winter storm.
  • Install an off-grid power supply to maintain heat and power. Backup generators are great when the grid loses power, but ones fueled by gas cause emissions to enter the Earth’s atmosphere. There are others that are battery powered; however, lithium batteries are damaging to our environment since they’re made with toxic metals like cobalt, nickel and manganese. To limit the environmental impact of a backup generator, consider a solar-powered generator. While many are still battery powered, you can extend the lifetime of these since they’re rechargeable – which minimizes the need to recycle lithium batteries.
  • Replace any dead trees with sturdy young trees. Dead trees are a hazard that can fall and damage your property during a storm. You’re not only helping produce more oxygen by replacing them, but trees also reduce the amount of storm water runoff that can erode and pollute waterways. It’s important to remember that trees should be planted at least one full-grown trees’ height away from your home to help prevent any future damage.

With climate change causing more extreme weather events, consider adding a Recoop disaster insurance policy for access to quick, flexible funds that you can use to make repairs, cover the cost of temporary housing and more if severe weather causes damages to your home.

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember the profound impact climate change has on our planet – especially when it comes to the destructive effects of natural disasters. This also means we’re in a position to help reshape our globe’s future. By making sustainable choices now, we can mitigate the frequency and impact of severe weather in the years to come.