dаta: FEMA. Chart: Jared Whalen/Axios
While some regions are more protected from climate-driven extreme weather events than others in the United States, there is no guarantee that any region will be unaffected, particularly as greenhouse gases continue to build up in the atmosphere.
The big picture: This map shows the major disasters that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared during the past 20 years. It includes everything from severe storms and hurricanes to drought and wildfires.
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Scientists have discovered that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of these types of events. This is particularly true for heavy rain, snow, heat waves or wildfires.
Why it matters: It is important to consider the breadth of the area. Certain areas are well-known and documented risk areas, such as coastal Louisiana's storm vulnerability. Or how California has seen 18 of its 20 largest wildfires since 2000.
However, extreme weather is also occurring in other regions such as the deadly flash flooding in Tennessee this year.
This year has also seen dangerous, thunderstorm-generated, strong wind events called derechos in the Midwest and record drought parching the West.
Other indicators point to similar risk, often in populous areas, such as the record-setting heat in the Pacific Northwest.
They are saying that "There is no place in the USA (or anywhere on Earth) that is completely safe from the effects of climate change," Laurence C. Smith, Brown University's environmental studies professor, said in an email exchange.
Smith stated that yes, but that "[T]he inland middle-central and northeastern States along the Canadian border might experience some of these detriments less severe than other areas."
Next: To limit the future severity of extreme weather risk, global emissions reductions will be required to reduce global warming.
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However, extreme weather and significant warming are already in place. This means that adaptation decisions must be made both personally and governmentally to manage risk.
Threat level: Michael Wehner (an expert at how climate change affects extreme weather with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) tells Axios via Email that "as heat extremities continue to get warmer, work outside will need to be altered."
"Even now it is crucial that outdoor workers have access water and cooling stations. He said that heat waves will make it more difficult to avoid heatstroke and other illnesses.
Smith stated that he bought Adirondack land recently for his personal enjoyment and preservation of forests, but also to combat climate change.
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