Research

Climate Change

4.2 Billion

People affected by weather-related disasters

In the past 20 years, 4.2 billion people have been affected by weather-related disasters, including significant loss of lives. Developing countries are the most affected by climate impacts.

The World Economic and Social Survey 2016

100 Million

More people thrown into poverty due to climate change

Impoverished people and countries are exposed and vulnerable to all types of climate-related shocks – natural disasters that destroy assets and livelihoods; waterborne diseases and pests that become more prevalent during heat waves, floods, or droughts; crop failure from reduced rainfall; and spikes in food prices that follow extreme weather events.

“Shockwaves: Managing the Impacts of Climate Change on Poverty”, 2016

Impoverished communities tend to be more dependent on climate-sensitive sectors and natural resources for survival, so climate change poses an extreme threat on the livelihood, food security, and health of the poor; women are particularly vulnerable.

The Science of Adaptation; a Framework for Assessment, Mitigation, and Adaptation

In Africa today, more than 500 million people live without electricity

The World Bank

Without effective climate action, 100 million more people will live in extreme poverty by 2030.

Shockwaves, 2016

Business Opportunity

$23 Trillion

Climate-smart investment opportunities

A study released by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, recently forecasts nearly $23 trillion in opportunities for climate-smart investments in emerging markets between now and 2030.

World Bank
8x

China wind and solar increase by 2040

China’s wind and solar capacity will increase eightfold through 2040.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance Outlook, 2017

Renewables will attract 73 percent of the new investment spent over the next 23 years in China. Renewable capacity will account for 63 percent of the nation’s overall mix in 2040 compared with 33 percent last year.

Bloomberg 2017
3x

India’s rise in energy demand by 2040

India will build more solar capacity than net additions of coal to 2040 as it shifts to lower-cost renewables to meet a more than threefold rise in energy demand.

Bloomberg 2017
260,000

Number of US solar workers worldwide

Solar employs more United States workers than Apple, Google, and Facebook combined. The U.S. employs more than 260,000 workers nationwide.

The Solar Foundation 2017