Trend People staying home to avoid extreme weather

Summary

Among its short-term trajectories, the report expects more people may have to stay indoors at home to keep safe during extreme weather. Such a shift could have broader consequences for the economy. The report points out that businesses are exposed to staff absences when transport breaks down or when workers fall ill from climate-related causes, as well as to supply chain disruption and building damage. Older adults, children, people on low incomes and those in poor health are hit disproportionately by shifting temperatures and by illness linked to climate. Urban areas short of green space face greater heat and flood risk because rainwater is poorly absorbed and drains are overwhelmed. The report judges that mitigation and adaptation reduce vulnerability to extreme weather and so strengthen economic resilience.