A hotter planet makes strong wildfires more likely in areas that tend to be dry because heat further dries the fuels in a forest. And because warmer air can hold more moisture in areas that tend to be wet, hurricanes and other storms can hold more water and produce serious flooding. “A world wracked by frequent and devastating shocks from climate change cannot sustain the fundamental conditions supporting our financial system,” the report said. That study, focused on the economic impacts of climate disasters, did not specifically address the human toll of climate disasters. Reporting was contributed by Tim Arango , Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs , Henry Fountain , Thomas Fuller , Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio , Christina Morales , John Schwartz and Allyson Waller .

Source: New York Times September 18, 2020 13:01 UTC