Since the beginning of 2023, the United States has been hit with a record 23 large-scale disasters, resulting in billions of dollars in repair costs for the nation. As we begin to close out the year in the coming months, it is crucial for the United States to address the effects of climate change and its impact on natural disasters.
Data collected by the United States government has shown an upward trend in the occurrence of natural disasters since 1980. Three large-scale natural disasters were reported in 1980, while 22 such disasters were reported in 2020. This record was broken in 2023 and will likely continue to increase until the end of the year.
Since 2012, the United States has continued to invest billions in improving infrastructure, aiming to make communities more resilient to natural disasters. Jeremy Edwards, a spokesperson for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), stated that they have “provided historic levels of mitigation funding to help communities build resilience.” FEMA has designated nearly 500 communities as “disaster resilience zones,” which are areas eligible for more federal funding.
The United States government has reiterated its commitment to improving infrastructure, natural disaster preparedness, and resilience. The increasing frequency of natural disasters further emphasizes the impact of climate change on our society and the significance of taking care of our environment.
By Justin Goldberg