Search Climate Insights Directory

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis attributes 48 percent of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 to emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel and cement companies. In Colorado, over 5,000 wildfires burned more than 1 million acres between 2017 and 2021, including the record-breaking 2020 Cameron Peak Fire. The document argues that these companies should be held accountable for the costs of climate change and recommends that state governments implement policies to reduce human-ignited fires, increase forest health resources, and protect vulnerable communities.

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that 37% of the cumulative burned forest area in western North America since 1986 is attributable to emissions from 88 of the world's largest carbon producers. The report links these emissions to a rise in vapor pressure deficit (VPD), which increases atmospheric 'thirst' and dries out vegetation, thereby amplifying wildfire risk. It argues that these corporations should be held legally and financially accountable for climate damages, including the costs of wildfire suppression and recovery.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers are responsible for 48 percent of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986. In New Mexico, over 4,000 wildfires burned more than 800,000 acres between 2017 and 2021, with the 2022 Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak Fire becoming the state's largest on record. The document argues that these companies should be held accountable for the costs of climate change and recommends that state governments implement policies to reduce human-ignited fires, increase forest health resources, protect community health, and prioritize equitable investments for low-income communities.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis attributes 48 percent of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 to emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers. In Oregon, over 10,000 wildfires burned nearly 3.7 million acres between 2017 and 2022, including the 2021 Bootleg Fire which burned more than 400,000 acres. The document argues that these companies should be held accountable for the costs of climate change and wildfire resilience, and recommends state-level policies to reduce human-ignited fires, improve forest health, and protect vulnerable communities.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that 48% of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37% of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 are attributable to emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers. In Washington state, nearly 8,000 wildfires burned over 2.5 million acres between 2017 and 2022. The document argues for holding these companies accountable and urges state governments to implement resilience-building policies, including reducing human-ignited fires, improving forest health, and protecting vulnerable communities.

A December 2022 survey of 1,085 American adults reveals that a majority believe global warming is happening and mostly human-caused. While 64% express worry and some report psychological distress, most reject fatalism and feel a personal responsibility to help. Americans identify a wide range of local risks, particularly water pollution and power outages, and generally believe global warming is affecting U.S. weather and environmental problems.

The document describes the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) as a natural climate pattern consisting of warm (El Niño), cold (La Niña), and neutral phases driven by sea surface temperatures and pressures in the tropical Pacific. It details how these phases disrupt atmospheric circulation, affecting global precipitation and temperature. Specifically, La Niña is associated with wetter conditions in Australia and Indonesia and warmer, drier winters in the southern U.S., while El Niño is linked to drought in Australia and Indonesia and cooler, wetter winters in the southern U.S. The text emphasizes that while ENSO can nudge global temperatures, it does not mask the long-term warming trend caused by carbon pollution; for instance, 2022 remained the sixth hottest year on record despite a persistent La Niña. Historical data from the 2015-2016 El Niño event highlights severe consequences, including forest fires in Indonesia, flooding in Peru, and an estimated 60 million people impacted by extremes across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Asia-Pacific region.

The report identifies 41 federal laws enacted since 2017 that support climate adaptation, noting a shift from disaster recovery toward pre-disaster mitigation. It highlights the role of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the National Defense Authorization Act in integrating resilience, while also noting the use of nature-based solutions through conservation laws. The author argues that despite these bipartisan advancements, the U.S. still lacks a cohesive, coordinated federal strategy to address the increasing frequency and cost of climate-related disasters.

In 2022, the U.S. experienced 18 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters causing $165 billion in damages and 474 deaths, with Hurricane Ian being the costliest hurricane on record. The year was the 18th hottest on record for the U.S., with 73% of analyzed locations experiencing warmer-than-normal temperatures. These events are part of a longer warming trend, with 98% of analyzed U.S. locations showing increased average annual temperatures from 1970 to 2021. Meanwhile, U.S. fossil fuel emissions increased by 1.5% in 2022, though the Inflation Reduction Act is expected to help double annual wind and solar PV capacity additions by 2027 compared to 2021.

The report examines climate misinformation surrounding extreme weather in Latin America, focusing on case studies in Brazil, Chile, and Peru. It finds that highly visible, multi-causal, and emotional events are frequently weaponized by political figures to assign blame to scapegoats or promote conspiracy theories, thereby obscuring the scientific drivers of the climate crisis.

The report details how the climate crisis is accelerating in Arizona, leading to increased drought, extreme heat, and flooding. It quantifies specific impacts—such as a 71% decline in Lake Mead's volume since 2000 and nearly 500 heat-related deaths in Maricopa County during the summer of 2023—and outlines the extensive infrastructure, public health, and water management costs required for adaptation.

The report finds that a strong majority of Americans believe global warming is happening and is mostly human-caused. While many express worry and feel a personal responsibility to help, social engagement remains low, with most rarely discussing the topic with family and friends. There is significant concern regarding the impact of global warming on the U.S. environment, particularly extreme heat, droughts, and wildfires, though fatalism remains low.

The report details a survey of 1,011 US adults, finding that 74% believe global warming is happening and 61% attribute it primarily to human activity. While 66% express worry and 62% feel a personal responsibility to help, social engagement remains low, with 66% rarely or never discussing the issue with family and friends. A majority of respondents perceive global warming as already affecting US weather and various environmental problems, such as extreme heat and rising sea levels, though only 20% recognize the high level of scientific consensus (over 90%) on human-caused warming.

A survey of 1,033 American adults in October 2023 reveals that 72% believe global warming is happening, with 58% attributing it primarily to human activities. While 65% of respondents express worry about global warming and many perceive risks to their local communities—particularly from extreme heat and power outages—social engagement remains low, with 65% rarely or never discussing the topic with family and friends. Approximately 10% of respondents report psychological distress, such as anxiety or depression, linked to global warming.

The Spring 2023 survey of 1,011 American adults reveals that a strong majority believe global warming is happening and is mostly human-caused. While worry and perceived risks are high—with many reporting personal experience of its effects—social engagement remains low, as most respondents rarely discuss the issue with family and friends. Despite this, a majority feel a personal responsibility to help and reject fatalism, disagreeing that it is too late to take action.

The report finds that majorities in all 73 surveyed low-emission areas have experienced extreme weather, with unusually hot weather being the most common hazard. Most respondents attribute these events to climate change, yet significant gaps in individual and household preparedness exist, particularly in South America and Europe. Recovery times vary widely, with some populations in Central Asia and the Balkans expecting recovery to take a year or more.

The natural infrastructure sector in the Canadian Prairies contributed over CAD 4.1 billion to GDP and employed over 33,000 people directly in 2022. In Manitoba, the sector directly employed over 5,700 people and contributed over CAD 540 million to the provincial economy in 2022. Investment scenarios for Manitoba suggest that annual investments of CAD 10 million or CAD 25 million could increase direct jobs by 8% to 21% and direct GDP by 7% to 17%. Similar growth potentials are identified for Alberta and Saskatchewan, where natural infrastructure is viewed as a means to bridge water infrastructure gaps and increase resilience against floods, droughts, and wildfires.

The document highlights the economic value of natural infrastructure in the Canadian Prairies, noting that in 2022, the sector directly employed over 33,000 people and contributed over CAD 4.1 billion to the region's GDP. In Saskatchewan specifically, the sector directly employed over 5,800 people and contributed CAD 640 million to the provincial economy in 2022. The report argues that increased annual investments—such as CAD 10 million or CAD 25 million in Saskatchewan—could significantly boost direct jobs and GDP while addressing water infrastructure gaps and increasing resilience against climate impacts like floods, droughts, and wildfires.

The document highlights the economic contributions of natural infrastructure in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, noting that the sector provides jobs and GDP growth while increasing resilience to climate-related weather extremes. In Alberta specifically, the sector directly employed over 21,000 people and contributed CAD 2.9 billion to the provincial economy in 2022. The report argues that increased annual investments—such as CAD 20 million or CAD 50 million in Alberta—would further drive job creation and GDP while addressing water infrastructure gaps and buffering against floods, droughts, and wildfires.

The report examines climate misinformation following extreme weather events in Latin America, focusing on case studies in Brazil, Chile, and Peru. It finds that the high visibility, multi-causal nature, and emotional impact of these events make them ideal for actors to sow confusion, assign blame to scapegoats, and advance political agendas. In Brazil, a cyclone led to false claims about 'burst dams' to attack political opponents. In Chile, wildfires were framed as 'terrorist' arson to distract from a 14-year mega-drought. In Peru, Cyclone Yaku was falsely attributed to the HAARP project. The report concludes that these narratives often amplify existing political polarizations and rely on the misattribution of causes to hinder climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.