Alaska set a record-high December temperature of 67 degrees in the town of Kodiak earlier this week, while other parts of Alaska saw record December rainfall, with temperatures as much as 45 degrees above average. 

Anchorage, December 29 (RHC)-- In the United States, the climate emergency is leading to more extreme winter weather.  Alaska set a record-high December temperature of 67 degrees in the town of Kodiak earlier this week, while other parts of Alaska saw record December rainfall, with temperatures as much as 45 degrees above average. 

Meanwhile, in California, Lake Tahoe has recorded more than 16 feet of snow in December, breaking a snowfall record set over 50 years ago, in 1970.

In related news, a new report by the charity Christian Aid finds the combined toll of 2021’s worst climate disasters cost the global economy nearly $200 billion.  Topping the list was Hurricane Ida, which killed 115 people while causing $65 billion in damage.  Other costly weather events included the Texas winter storm and intense flooding in Europe over the summer. 

The report found the six costliest years for climate disasters have all come since 2011 and that without dramatic action to curb emissions, future climate disasters are likely to become much more deadly and expensive.