Climate Change

The current climate threat level is elevated due to several factors: the ongoing increase in extreme weather events such as tornadoes and floods, as highlighted by recent severe weather in Texas and the Southeast U.S., and the rise in emissions of potent greenhouse gases like sulfur hexafluoride in China. These developments are compounded by policy challenges, such as cuts to NOAA, which increase the risk of inadequate disaster preparedness and response. Additionally, the economic impacts of climate change are becoming more severe, threatening global supply chains and food security. These factors collectively contribute to a high-risk assessment, as they indicate both immediate and long-term challenges in mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts.