Climate Change and the Reinsurance Industry
Dr. D. James Baker
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator, NOAA
May 24, 2000
C
LIMATES
YSTEMFactors Affecting the Climate
•Natural Variability
Solar radiation
Variations in the Earth’s orbit Ocean/atmosphere interactions Seasonal phenomena -- El Niño Volcanic eruptions
Clouds
•Human Activities
Fossil fuel combustion Agriculture
Deforestation or reforestation
Temperature Changes since 1000
Observed Precipitation Trends
in the United States, 1901-1997
Annual Trends in 1-Day Precipitation Events
(%/Century, % is based on 20th Century Mean)
Probability of Extremes
Natural Disaster Reduction Initiative
Strengthen Weather Services &
Research
Enhance Satellite Coverage & Disaster Information
Apply New Technology to
Reduce Natural Hazards
GDIN Vision GDIN Vision GDIN Vision GDIN Vision
A robust, integrated, virtual network for A robust, integrated, virtual network for
cooperative exchange of timely, relevant cooperative exchange of timely, relevant
information used during all phases of information used during all phases of
disaster management to save lives and disaster management to save lives and
reduce economic loss.
reduce economic loss.
A robust, integrated, virtual network for A robust, integrated, virtual network for
cooperative exchange of timely, relevant cooperative exchange of timely, relevant
information used during all phases of information used during all phases of
disaster management to save lives and disaster management to save lives and
reduce economic loss.
reduce economic loss.
Knowledge KnowledgeKnowledge Knowledge
Interconnectivity Interconnectivity Interconnectivity Interconnectivity
Products/Services Products/Services
Archives Archives
Databases Databases
Models Models Fusion Fusion
Products/Services Products/Services
Archives Archives
Databases Databases
Models Models Fusion Fusion
Intranet Intranet Internet Internet
Public/Private Public/Private
TelecommunicationsTelecommunications Printed Reports
Printed Reports Broadcast
Broadcast Intranet Intranet Internet Internet
Public/Private Public/Private
TelecommunicationsTelecommunications Printed Reports
Printed Reports Broadcast
Broadcast
Integration Integration Integration Integration
Participants Participants Participants Participants
Standards Standards
Protocols Protocols
Interfaces Interfaces
Network management Network management guidelinesguidelines
Data/Information quality Data/Information quality Standards
Standards Protocols Protocols
Interfaces Interfaces
Network management Network management guidelinesguidelines
Data/Information quality Data/Information quality
Government Government
NGO’s NGO’s
Industry Industry
General Public General Public
Emergency Managers Emergency Managers Government
Government NGO’s
NGO’s Industry Industry
General Public General Public
Emergency Managers Emergency Managers
