Why Labeling Climate Catastrophes 'Unimaginable' Undermines Preparedness
The author argues that calling extreme weather events 'unimaginable' excuses inaction, despite decades of climate modeling that predicted them.
Each major climate disaster is often labeled 'unimaginable,' a term the author contends serves as an excuse for insufficient planning. He notes that the United States has experienced 403 weather and climate events costing at least $1 billion each from 1980 to 2024, with 27 occurring in 2024 alone. Pioneering research by Syukuro Manabe and later studies by Noah Diffenbaugh and Martin Scherer had already projected rising temperatures and more frequent extreme heat.
Yet officials continue to rely on language like 'historic' or 'once in a generation,' which reinforces a mindset of surprise. The article calls for concrete actions: identifying high-impact risks, publishing infrastructure gaps, assigning accountability, and requiring annual progress reports from both public and private sectors. By making preparedness measurable, societies can avoid normalizing human suffering from climate change.
