Disasters and Climate Change

Climate change is affecting the hydrological cycle and increasing the frequency and intensity of storms. Over 90 per cent of disasters are weather-related, including drought and aridification, wildfires, pollution and floods. They lead to death, injury, loss of livelihoods and displacement and place a huge burden on societies, economies and the environment. At the UN 2023 Water Conference, Member States took important steps to acknowledge the interactions

between climate, resilience, water and the environment. UNEP works through partnerships such as the Water and Climate Coalition, which brings climate change and water to the same table – tackling them as one. Healthy freshwater ecosystems – which comprise wetlands such as peatlands, lakes, groundwater aquifers and rivers – can help to keep the planet cool, mitigate the impact of flooding by filtering and retaining water, and boost resilience through water storage.