In 2017, the United States experienced 16 weather- and climate-related disasters that each totaled over $1 billion USD. Each of these events had significant effects on public and private property, local economies, and livelihoods. As documented in IPCC reports and the U.S. National Climate Assessments, extreme events will get worse through the 21st century. We must ask ourselves, are all people prepared for an increase in extreme events? How do we involve vulnerable populations—those in areas prone to disasters; those who do not have the means to evacuate during disasters; those who do not speak the predominant language(s) of the country—in planning for future extreme events? In this session, we will discuss research that brings together concerns about extreme events and vulnerable populations.
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