Human-induced climate change is modifying patterns of extreme weather, including floods, cyclones and droughts.

In many cases, climate change is making these hazards more intense, more frequent, less predictable and/or longer lasting. This magnifies the risk of “disasters” everywhere, but especially in those parts of the world where there are already high levels of human vulnerability.

This study identifies the most likely humanitarian implications of climate change for the next 20-30 year period. The authors use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to map specific hazards associated with climate change – specifically: floods, cyclones and droughts – and place them in relation to factors influencing vulnerability.

The results identify hotspots of high humanitarian risk under changing climatic conditions.