Extreme weather is the vehicle that delivers the impacts of climate change. We have already detected a signal of climate change in deadly heatwaves and flooding rains. Recent events such as the wildfires in Australia and Siberia are highly unlikely to have been so severe without climate change. Is the record pace of this year’s North Atlantic hurricane season tied to the near record-warm ocean temperatures? Looking to the future, further changes in extreme weather are anticipated. Whereas the incremental warming of our earth system may seem small, on-the-ground impacts are anything but. In addition to local devastation, extreme weather impacts reverberate through our natural, physical, and social systems.

This talk will review what we know about extreme weather in a changing climate and how we know it. The talk will also look ahead at what we can expect to learn from the science in the next five years and its potential impact on risk management. It’s now more important than ever to have robust, science-informed regulation and risk management strategies. The talk will present opportunities for deeper integration of science and practice that is urgently needed to strengthen protection of lives and property.