Increased Frequency of Extreme Weather

Increased frequency of extreme weather is now consistently linked to climate change through attribution science, making it the most empirically grounded effect on this list. Specific heatwaves, floods, and hurricanes have been quantified: for example, climate change made Hurricane Harvey’s rainfall 38% more intense. This precision outperforms #8 (Climate Migration and Displacement), which still relies on projections. However, the debate remains because exact amplification ratios—like the 15% boost from a 1°C rise versus natural variability—vary by event type. An authoritative 2023 study showed that 74% of all extreme precipitation events now bear a detectable human fingerprint, but critics note that models overestimate some local trends. The practical import: insurers now use these attributions to adjust premiums, a concrete market response.