The number of devastating natural disasters, those designated as Category 5 based on their financial and human impact, increased to 40 in 2008, the highest number on record. Of the monsoon floods, hurricanes, and typhoons that contributed to the total, only one event—the June earthquake in Japan—was not weather related.

A new snapshot of natural disasters trends based on data from 1974 to the present reveals that:

In 2008, some 750 natural disasters occurred worldwide, a 22 percent decline from the record 960 that occurred in 2007. While the number of smaller catastrophes (Categories 1 and 2) fell in 2008, major catastrophes continued an upward trend.

Worldwide, the annual average number of hydrological disaster events has tripled since the 1980s, while meteorological and climatological events have nearly doubled.

Economic losses from disasters totaled $200 billion, of which $45 billion was insured. Adjusted for inflation, 2008 was the third most expensive year ever recorded.

The new natural disasters update is based on Munich Re’s systematic recording of natural perils that began in 1974.

It seems clear to me that our poor stewardship of the earth is coming back to bite us. And not just in our wallets. Wars are starting over migrations caused by lack of water (Sudan), future wars might be caused over migration caused by sea level rise (Bangladesh/India/Pakistan). Guess the eco-slogans shouldn’t have been “save the planet” but rather “save the people.” We are really the ones at danger here.