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A September 2012 survey indicates that 74% of Americans believe global warming is affecting U.S. weather, with a majority attributing the severity of recent extreme events—such as the 2012 summer heat and Midwest drought—to climate change. Public perception of worsening weather and local heat waves has increased since March 2012, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, with 20% of respondents reporting health, property, or financial harm from heat waves in the past year.

The report finds that a growing majority of Americans (74%) believe global warming is affecting U.S. weather, with many attributing recent extreme heat, drought, and record temperatures to climate change. It details regional variations in perceptions, noting that Midwesterners were particularly sensitive to drought and crop harm in 2012, while Westerners reported higher rates of forest fires. The data shows an increase in the number of Americans reporting personal harm to health, property, or finances from extreme heat and drought.

The document describes the 'energy-water collision,' a phenomenon where power plants—particularly conventional fossil-fuel and nuclear facilities—struggle to secure sufficient or cool enough water for cooling processes during heat waves and droughts. It identifies three primary types of collisions: insufficient water levels, incoming water that is too warm to cool plants, and outgoing water that exceeds temperature limits for environmental safety. The text highlights a surge in these incidents during the summer of 2012, noting that even plants on large bodies of water, such as the Millstone nuclear plant on Long Island Sound, are now susceptible to temperature-related shutdowns.

The report finds that dangerously hot summer days and heat waves have become more common in the US Midwest since the 1940s and 1950s. It highlights that nighttime temperatures have risen, reducing the cooling relief necessary to prevent heat-related illness. The analysis, covering 10 cities, indicates that these trends are not solely due to urban heat island effects, as smaller cities showed similar increases. Future projections suggest a significant increase in days over 90°F and 100°F by the end of the century if high carbon emissions continue.

The report finds that the US Midwest has experienced a significant increase in dangerously hot and humid summer days since the 1940s and 1950s. This trend increases the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and urban residents. The analysis, covering 10 cities across eight states, indicates that rising nighttime temperatures and more frequent heat waves exacerbate health risks. Projections suggest that without significant carbon emission reductions, the region will face a substantial increase in days exceeding 90°F and 100°F by the end of the century.

The report finds that the U.S. Midwest has experienced a significant increase in dangerously hot, humid, and dry summer days, as well as more frequent heat waves, over the last 60 years. Analysis of ten cities indicates that nighttime temperatures and humidity are rising, reducing the relief typically found overnight. These trends are linked to higher risks of hyperthermia and dehydration, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and low-income urban residents. The document argues for a combination of local adaptation strategies, such as heat-response plans and cooling centers, and aggressive global action to reduce fossil fuel emissions to mitigate future extreme heat events.

The report highlights that disaster risk in Asia is increasing due to higher exposure and vulnerability, even independent of climate change. It details observed and projected increases in temperature and precipitation extremes across various Asian sub-regions and argues for the integration of disaster risk management (DRM) with climate change adaptation (CCA) and sustainable development to build long-term resilience.

The document translates the global findings of the IPCC SREX report into a regional context for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasizing that disaster risk is increasing due to rising vulnerability and exposure. It details observed and projected climate extremes—such as increased heatwaves and variable precipitation—and argues for the integration of disaster risk management (DRM) with climate change adaptation (CCA) and sustainable development. The report highlights the importance of both incremental and transformational changes, including the use of risk transfer mechanisms like insurance and the necessity of global greenhouse gas mitigation to avoid the most severe impacts.

The document translates the global scientific findings of the IPCC SREX report into a regional context for Africa, emphasizing that disaster risk is increasing due to both climate change and socio-economic factors. It argues for an integrated approach that combines disaster risk management (DRM) with climate change adaptation (CCA) and sustainable development. Key regional findings include projected increases in heatwaves and droughts in Southern Africa and increased heavy precipitation in Eastern Africa. The report highlights the extreme vulnerability of coastal cities and the agricultural sector, while advocating for national legislative frameworks, early warning systems, and international financial mechanisms to build long-term resilience.

The document translates the global findings of the IPCC SREX report into an African context, emphasizing that disaster risk is increasing due to both climate extremes and rising human vulnerability and exposure. It details observed and projected temperature and precipitation trends across West, East, and Southern Africa, while arguing for the integration of disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) into national development policies. The report highlights the particular vulnerability of the agricultural sector and coastal cities, and suggests a shift from incremental to transformational changes in governance and partnerships to build long-term resilience.

The document highlights that the agriculture sector is exceptionally vulnerable to climate extremes due to its dependence on natural resources. It argues that disaster risk is increasing not only due to climate change but also because more vulnerable people and assets are exposed to these events. The brief advocates for a shift from short-term coping mechanisms to long-term transformational approaches, such as 'climate-smart agriculture', and emphasizes the need for integrated national disaster risk management systems that combine local knowledge with scientific data.

The report highlights that Asia is exceptionally exposed to climate extremes, with over 90% of the global population exposed to tropical cyclones. It argues that disaster risk is driven not only by weather events but by dynamic factors of vulnerability and exposure, such as unplanned urbanisation and weak governance. The document provides observed and projected trends for temperature and precipitation extremes across Asian sub-regions and advocates for the integration of disaster risk management (DRM) with climate change adaptation (CCA) and sustainable development to build long-term resilience.

The document translates the IPCC SREX report's findings into actionable insights for the health sector, emphasizing that disaster risk is increasing due to both climate extremes and human vulnerability. It details the direct and indirect health impacts of heatwaves, floods, and droughts, while arguing for a shift from incremental to transformational changes in health infrastructure and policy to build long-term resilience.

A 2012 survey of 1,008 American adults found that 82% personally experienced an extreme weather event in the previous year, and a majority believe U.S. weather is worsening. While many link high-profile disasters to global warming, only about a third of respondents have both an emergency plan and a supply kit. The report also highlights a public interest in hearing weathercasters discuss global warming, despite infrequent occurrences of such discussions in forecasts.

The report finds that U.S. power plants withdraw massive volumes of freshwater, with coal and nuclear plants being the most water-intensive. This demand contributes to water-supply stress in hundreds of watersheds and is exacerbated by droughts and heat waves. The authors highlight significant gaps and inaccuracies in EIA reporting and advocate for 'water-smart' energy choices, such as dry cooling and low-water renewables, to ensure energy reliability and water security.

The document argues that media outlets have a duty to connect the dots between a warming climate and the devastating weather events of 2010, such as heatwaves in Russia and flooding in Pakistan. It asserts that climate change will increase the frequency of severe weather, decrease crop yields, and worsen air quality, providing a list of scientific and journalistic resources to support this coverage.

The document examines the vulnerability of the European power sector to climate change, focusing on the interdependence between water supply and electricity generation. It argues that rising temperatures and water scarcity can force power plants, particularly nuclear facilities, to reduce production, which in turn disrupts the European electricity exchange system. Using a theoretical model and scenarios based on IPCC projections, the authors demonstrate that countries heavily dependent on electricity imports, such as Italy and the Netherlands, are particularly vulnerable to production constraints in major exporting nations like France.

The ADAPTE project investigates the interaction between air pollution and extreme weather on human health in Latin American cities, specifically focusing on Mexico City, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Bogotá. Initial findings indicate that suspended particles and nitrogen oxides in these cities significantly exceed WHO standards, with vulnerability varying by age, sex, income, and season.

The ADAPTE project uses GIS to map the interaction between air pollution and extreme weather (heat and cold waves) to identify health risks in Latin American cities. Findings indicate that PM10 and NOx levels in Mexico City, Santiago, and Bogota significantly exceed WHO standards. The project identifies varying relative risks (RR) for respiratory and cardiovascular mortality based on season and age group, such as higher respiratory risk for children in Bogota during the cold season.

The document details the ADAPTE project, which uses GIS to map social vulnerability and mortality risks linked to air pollution and temperature extremes in Latin American cities. It highlights that PM10 and NOx levels in Mexico City, Santiago, and Bogotá significantly exceed WHO standards and notes that respiratory and cardiovascular mortality risks vary by age group and season, particularly in Bogotá.