Below I briefly summarize two reports.
The first recaps the severity of climate change and the second demonstrates the civilizational impacts. Of course, it's not all about dollars and cents, but the cost of insurance claims and economic damage is a good proxy for how climate change will lead to the collapse of industrial civilization.
"Indicators of Global Climate Change 2024"
It's getting worse. Faster.
Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions reached an all-time high, averaging 53.6 ± 5.2 Gt CO2-equivalent per year over the last decade (2014–2023).
Human-induced warming has increased at a rate of 0.27 [0.2–0.4] °C per decade over 2015–2024, the fastest rate observed in the instrumental record. (Note: if the trend from the past couple years continues, warming will accelerate to 0.40°C per decade going forward.)
The observed global surface temperature for 2024 is estimated at 1.52°C above pre-industrial levels, surpassing the symbolic 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, although internal variability (such as El Niño) contributed to this spike.
The rate of global sea-level rise is increasing faster than previously assessed in the IPCC AR6 report, driven by both thermal expansion and melting ice.
The planet continues to absorb more energy than it emits, amplifying warming and climate disruptions.
Reductions in air pollution (aerosols) have decreased their cooling effect, exposing the full warming potential of greenhouse gases.
The remaining carbon budget to keep warming below 1.5°C is extremely limited, implying that without immediate, deep emissions cuts, this target will be irreversibly breached.
There is evidence that the rate of increase in CO2 emissions has slowed compared to the 2000s, but absolute emissions remain at record highs.
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"Q1 2025 Global Catastrophe Recap"
Putting a dollar figure on collapse:
Q1 2025 global economic losses reached $83 billion, 36% above the 21st-century average, with the U.S. accounting for the majority.
Insured losses hit $53 billion, the second-highest Q1 total on record, driven by severe events in the U.S.
California’s Palisades and Eaton wildfires caused $52.5 billion in economic losses and $37.5 billion in insured losses, making them the costliest wildfires in U.S. history.
Over 18,000 structures were destroyed by the California fires, fueled by drought and extreme Santa Ana winds.
U.S. severe convective storms caused $14 billion in economic losses, with a well-forecast March event contributing nearly half.
The Myanmar earthquake killed over 5,300 people and caused $5 billion in losses, worsened by ongoing civil conflict.
Cyclone Alfred in Australia resulted in $750 million in insured losses and 95,000 claims, stressing the importance of preparedness in low-risk regions.
The global insurance protection gap narrowed to 36%, the lowest Q1 level on record, with the U.S. accounting for 95% of global insured losses.
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