Whether it’s the floods in Europe, hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, or fires in California, we’ve all seen the headlines. Our climate is changing, which has led to an increase in natural disasters globally. This year alone, 37,803 fires have burned more than 3 million acres across the United States. In 2020, the United States spent $95 billion just on weather and climate disasters.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction started in 1989 by the United Nations General Assembly to promote a global awareness of natural disaster risks and how to prevent them. Every October 13th, this day acknowledges how communities around the world are impacted by natural disasters, and how we can come together to reduce these harmful impacts.
The Connection To Climate — Did you know?
- By 2050, if we don’t reduce greenhouse gas emissions, all regions of the United States will experience an increased average number of days per year with dangerous heat conditions.
- The energy that feeds hurricanes comes from warm water, and climate change is causing ocean temperatures to increase.
- Studies show that, with climate change, the time in between droughts is likely to become shorter than the time the land will need to recover from them.
- Warmer air can hold more moisture, meaning heavier rainfalls, which increases the risk of floods.
At Wolven, we are all about the community we create: people who care about protecting the planet and its people. As our local community in California faces devastating wildfires, and our global community continues to suffer the impacts of climate change, we remain committed to our mission of sustainability.
That’s why we’re certified Climate Neutral, meaning we offset our entire carbon footprint each year, and donate 1% of our profits each year to environmental efforts as part of our 1% for the Planet partnership.
To learn more about ways you can help communities impacted by natural disasters and climate change, check out these resources:
- United Nations: International Day Of Disaster Risk Reduction
- California State Parks Wildlife Relief Fund
- Climate Emergency Fund
Written By: Katherine Langell, Wolven Research & Design Intern
