Measures of economic impacts of weather extremes: getting better but far from what is needed--a call for action

摘要

Improved estimates of economic impacts from extremes exist, but the values are still uncertain and adversely affect government and business decisions, an issue now recognizedas a national problem needing attention. Everyone recognizes that weather extremes cause financial losses, but the question is "How much?" Measures of the financial impacts of weather extremes are largely qualitative estimates, a situation often misunderstood by atmospheric scientists and many users of impact information. Ironically, the meteorological community frequently gets the blame for the questionable impact values. Four recent national assessments ofhazards (Kunreuther 1998; Heinz Center 2000; Mileti 1999; NRC 1999) have pointed to problems of loss data, calling for better data needed to effectively guide government policies and business activities attempting to assess and address hazard risks.