Interactive map tracks weather disasters by county

By cursoring over selected counties viewers can see where and what weather disasters occurred.. (Courtesy Environment America)

CONCORD, N.H. - Every single New Hampshire resident lives in a county affected recently by weather-related disasters, according to a new interactive map using data from the federal government [embed link: http://environmentamerica.org/extremeweather ]. Scientists say global warming is already exacerbating some extreme weather events and their impacts.

"We used to think of climate change as a problem that would happen someday, somewhere," said Sharon Solomon. "But as this map helps demonstrate, global warming is happening now, and it's already hitting close to home."

Environment New Hampshire researchers, who created the online map, found that in the last five years, eight extreme weather events have impacted residents across the state. Scientists predict unchecked global warming will increase the frequency, severity and the catastrophic impacts of storms.

The map reveals that nationwide, more than 40 million Americans live in counties that were affected by more than five weather disasters over the last five years, while counties housing 96 percent of the population experienced declared disasters at least once.

The analysis comes as world leaders have just made an agreement to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius, a benchmark scientists say is critical to avoid devastating impacts of global warming that could render the planet uninhabitable. This historic agreement lays the foundation for a 100 percent pollution-free energy future.

"To avoid even more dangerous climate impacts," said Solomon, "we need our leaders to act boldly to slash carbon pollution and transition to 100 percent clean renewable energy."