The Earth’s climate is undergoing significant changes, referred to as global warming, climate change, climate crisis, and global weirding. Despite various terms used to describe these phenomena, it remains a complex concept to comprehend.
Researchers at MIT have developed a tool that projects the number of “outdoor days” different regions may experience up to the year 2100 if carbon emissions continue to increase unchecked.
The outcomes vary depending on the location. California, France, Germany, and the UK may see more favorable outdoor weather conditions with additional days in spring and fall. On the other hand, places like New York, Massachusetts, China, Japan, Illinois, and Texas are projected to lose outdoor days, especially due to rising temperatures.
Countries with vulnerable populations, such as Nigeria and India, are expected to suffer the most, losing several months of outdoor days. However, achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070 can significantly improve the situation.
Assessing risk
The MIT tool is a practical application of climate scenario analysis, a field that examines how climate change will impact different regions and demographics. Startups like Jupiter Intelligence, Cervest, and One Concern are providing predictive solutions for investors, lenders, and insurers to address climate risks such as floods, wildfires, and droughts.
ClimateAI focuses on agriculture, offering water risk assessment and other climate-related data to agribusinesses, lenders, and food companies. Sensible Weather provides insurance for outdoor events, catering to individuals and businesses affected by inclement weather.
As awareness of climate change grows, there is a rising demand for certainty in various markets. Climate scenario analysis, once confined to academia and insurance, is now poised to gain mainstream prominence.
