Society & Climate Overview
The United States has sustained 90 weather-related disasters from 1980 to 2008. The total normalized loss for these events exceeds $700 billion. It has been estimated that at least 1/3 of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is weather & climate sensitive, a potential impact of $4 trillion/year (in 2008 dollars), after inflation adjustment (Dutton, 2002).
To help mitigate against the perils of hazardous natural events NOAA climate data and products are accessed by a wide audience (e.g. business sectors, general public, government agencies) to enhance decision-making and create economic benefits for our Nation's economy.
Key Points:
- Population shifts and development choices are making more Americans vulnerable to the expected impacts of climate change.
- Insurance is one of the industries particularly vulnerable to increasing extreme weather events such as severe storms, but it can also help society manage the risks.
- The United States is connected to a world that is unevenly vulnerable to climate change and thus will be affected by impacts in other parts of the world.
Data Stories
Short descriptions on how specific NOAA data, products, and services help to address Society sector decision making needs. Links to the data are also provided.
Data Set
A list of select NOAA data, products, and services used in business or personal decision-making within the Society sector.
