Between 1980 and 1989, there were an average of just over 70 natural disasters per year; from 2013 to 2022, according to Swiss Re, it was less than 200 per year. Economic losses are also growing. Swiss Re classifies disasters as events that exceed given insurance and economic loss limits, and as such increasing insured exposures and higher reconstruction costs will contribute to this growing trend, making it difficult to isolate and attribute the impact of climate change alone. However, for some disaster hazards in certain geographic areas, there is a scientific consensus regarding a historical increase in the frequency of extreme weather events, which will therefore contribute to this increasing trend in losses. (Brandon Holmes)