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Published on: March 31, 2023
Extreme events in the context of climate change
Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick1, Andy Pitman2
1Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, UNSW Sydney, sarah.kirkpatrick@unsw.edu.au.
Abstract:
By definition, extreme events are rare. Socio-economic and human systems have not experienced adverse extreme events frequently enough to develop resilience, whether this be physical, economical or structural. Humans are vulnerable to extreme events because of our physiology and because we build thresholds into our socio-economic and human health systems. When these thresholds are exceeded the consequences can be devastating. This perspective will discuss changes in heat, drought and heavy rainfall extremes in the context of climate change.
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