This resource from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration details the financial costs and frequencies of extreme weather disasters exceeding one billion dollars in the United States since 1980.
The data provided is represented in maps, tables, and graphs and can easily be divided out by decade or event type for analysis.
The methodology for calculating and reporting the cost of damages is included, along with links to download some of the data.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This resource provides real world, current data on the economic repercussions of climate change.
Analyzing the economic impact of climate change can be an effective way to garner support for climate action by individuals motivated by finances.
Additional Prerequisites
Learners should be familiar with the connections between global warming and extreme weather events.
Differentiation
Consider developing SAT/ACT practice questions on proportions and ratios using the data provided. For example, challenge students to examine decades during which the most damage occurred.
Before examining the data, have students predict the most costly decade or event type and explain their reasoning.
Download the data available to have students run statistical analyses for math, science, or statistics classes.
This resource evaluates the risk from disasters, climatic events, and associated costs in the USA. It is a useful tool for developing and carrying out climate policies. The data source and the methodology used for the attribution and analysis of past and present risks have high levels of confidence. It is advised to use this resource in the classroom.
Standards
Mathematics
Data Reasoning and Probability (9-12)
HS.DR.A.4 Use mathematical and statistical reasoning to formulate questions about data to evaluate conclusions and assess risks.
HS.DR.C.10 Use data to compare two groups, describe sample variability, and decide if differences between parameters are significant based on the statistics.
Science
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS.ESS3.1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
HS.ESS3.5 Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth’s systems.
