Improving Societal Outcomes of Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate: An Integrated Perspective

Despite hazard mitigation efforts and scientific and technological advances, extremeweather events continue to cause substantial losses. The impacts of extreme weather result from complex interactions among physical and human systems across spatial and temporal scales. This article synthesizes current interdisciplinary knowledge about extreme weather, including temperature extremes (heat and cold waves), precipitation extremes (including floods and droughts), and storms and severe weather (including tropical cyclones). We discuss hydrometeorological aspects of extreme weather; projections of changes in extremes with anthropogenic climate change; and how social vulnerability, coping, and adaptation shape the societal impacts of extreme weather. We find four critical gaps where work is needed to improve outcomes of extreme weather: (a) reducing vulnerability; (b) enhancing adaptive capacity, including decision-making flexibility; (c) improving the usability of scientific information in decisionmaking, and (d ) understanding and addressing local causes of harm through participatory, community-based efforts formulated within the larger policy context. 1 A nn u. R ev . E nv ir on . R es ou rc . 2 01 1. 36 :1 -2 5. D ow nl oa de d fr om w w w .a nn ua lr ev ie w s. or g by U ni ve rs ity o f C ol or ad o B ou ld er o n 10 /3 0/ 11 . F or p er so na l u se o nl y. EG36CH01-Morss ARI 4 October 2011 15:50 Extreme weather: weather conditions and weather-related events that are rare at a particular location and time or can cause significant impacts Vulnerability: the susceptibility of people or systems to damage or harm Climate change mitigation: human intervention to reduce emissions and/or concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases Adaptation: long-term or fundamental changes people make to systematically reduce potential harm (or take advantage of opportunities) from changing weather stressors