New holistic class of hazard metrics that can track the amplification of climate extremes (IMAGE)
Caption
To what extent are climate hazards such as heat extremes, flooding, drought and storms (icons at left) intensified by anthropogenic climate change? The study answers this question by introducing a new holistic class of hazard metrics (illustrated by the chart in the middle) that can track the amplification of the extremity of such events, from just frequency change to their total extremity, with a level of rigor not attained before. Based on this diagnostic power, the metrics enable better quantification and attribution of climate impacts, such as quantifying the harm to people, property, ecosystems and infrastructure (icons at right).
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© University of Graz/Wegener Center
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Royalty-free use of the image, with mention of the copyright, only for editorial use in connection with the publication by Gottfried Kirchengast, Stephanie J. Haas, Jürgen Fuchsberger (2026): A new class of climate hazard metrics and its demonstration: revealing a ten-fold increase of extreme heat over Europe. Weather and Climate Extremes, February 2026
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Original content