Good News Amid Climate Concerns: Fewer Weather-Related Deaths in 2025

In 2025, something remarkable happened that didn't get much attention. Despite all the talk about climate change, the number of people who died from extreme weather events was very low. This is great news, but not many people are talking about it.

A Significant Decrease in Deaths

By October 2025, reports showed that around 4,500 people had died from extreme weather events worldwide. That's a lot, but it's actually a very low number compared to past years. Unfortunately, the last two months of the year saw a big increase in deaths due to flooding in South and Southeast Asia. Cyclones Senyar and Ditwah caused a lot of damage. Experts think that around 1,600 people died in these and other events during that time.

Historical Context

Even with these tragic events, 2025 is still one of the years with the fewest weather-related deaths ever. In fact, the death rate from extreme weather events is now the lowest it has ever been. It's less than 0.8 deaths per 100,000 people. Only two other years, 2018 and 2015, have had similarly low rates.

To understand how much things have improved, let's look at the past:

• 1960: Over 320 deaths per 100,000 people
• 1970: Over 80 deaths per 100,000 people
• 1980: Around 3 deaths per 100,000 people
• 2000: Six years with fewer than 1.0 deaths per 100,000 people

From 1970 to 2025, the death rate dropped by two orders of magnitude. This shows how much progress we've made.

Progress and Preparedness

Of course, there's always a risk of large-scale disasters. For example, in 2008, almost 150,000 people died from extreme weather events. But overall, the trend is clear. We're getting better at preparing for and dealing with these events. This is thanks to advances in science, technology, and policy. The world is also wealthier, which helps us protect people when disasters strike.

Celebrating Progress

So, while we should always be prepared, it's important to recognize the progress we've made. 2025 is not unique; it's part of a long-term trend of reduced vulnerability and improved preparation. This is a story of human ingenuity and progress that we should celebrate.