Impacts of Hurricane Sandy and the Climate Change Connection

Summary

Extreme weather events are on the rise in the United States and globally, with growing and costly disruptions to businesses, people’s livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. Hurricane Sandy is the most recent event to expose the vulnerability of the United States to extreme weather.

This fact sheet highlights the historical magnitude of the storm and estimated losses, plus statements by government officials and leading scientists who view this tragic event as a harbinger of future climate change impacts.

Evidence is mounting that human-induced warming is contributing to increased frequency and intensity of several types of extreme weather events, including heat waves, torrential downpours, and coastal flooding. These trends are expected to continue – with associated damages worsening – in an increasingly warmer world