Beyond Sustainability: Operational Resiliency

Hurricane Ian is the 15 th billion-dollar disaster to hit the United States in 2022. The total cost of the 338 >$1B weather/climate disasters we’ve experienced since 1980 is $2.95 trillion. Even more concerning: The 1980–2021 annual average is 7.7 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for 2017-2021 is 17.8 events (CPI-adjusted).

This data confirms that $1B climate disasters are not only occurring more frequently, but they are also becoming more powerful and destructive because of increasing climate change.

Economic recovery can take years

As of this writing, Florida has barely started its recovery from the devastating losses caused by Hurricane Ian. Although final numbers are not yet in, initial estimates predict $75 - $258 billion in property damage and the decimation of one of the state’s prime tourist areas and real estate markets.