Climate change is a fact, and it is almost entirely made by man.
The increased concentration of greenhouse gas in the earth's
atmosphere has caused global mean annual temperatures to increase
by 0.74°C just in the last 100 years.
At the time of writing, 2010 was the warmest year since records
began 130 years ago. The ten warmest years during this period all
lie within the last 12 years. There were record temperatures in
Asia (53.5°C in Pakistan in May), Moscow
(37.8°C) and Los Angeles (
45°C), whilst Germany had its wettest August
on record and the Arctic Ocean the lowest ice cover for the month
of June.
Also the growing number of weather-related catastrophes can only
be explained by climate change. The view that weather extremes are
more frequent and intense due to global warming is in keeping with
current scientific findings as set out in the Fourth IPCC
Assessment Report. Aggregate losses from weather-related natural
catastrophes since 1980 now total US$1,600bn, insured losses
increasing on average by 11% per year.
Munich Re has been analysing natural hazards and natural hazard
losses for more than 35 years. For this purpose, it has set up the
most comprehensive natural catastrophe database in the world, which
currently comprises more than 28,000 events. Munich Re also
actively promotes the issue of climate change and global climate
change adaptation through numerous projects, partnerships and
practical insurance solutions.
If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please
contact our media relations team who will be pleased to help deal
with your enquiries. Munich Re Media
Relations Team
This publication is available exclusively to Munich Re clients. Please contact your Client Manager.
We use cookies to improve your browsing experience and
help us to improve our website.
By continuing to use our websites, you consent to the use of
cookies. Please see our cookie policy for more
information on cookies and information on how you can change your
browser's settings.
You can disable cookies,
however please note that disabling, deleting or disallowing cookies
will affect your web experience.