Societal Harms in 2025

The escalating costs of tropical storms and floods, along with rising fatalities among migrants, highlight the disproportionate burden borne by vulnerable populations and ecosystems. At the same time, the persistent threat of marine plastic pollution reveals the environmental injustices faced by both marine life and at-risk human communities, further deepening existing vulnerabilities.
Human PressuresOpportunities For Humanity
Human PressuresOpportunities For Humanity

Global losses from tropical storms and floods hit US$ 102 billion.

In 2023, the loss of economic assets caused by tropical cyclones and floods was worth US$ 102 billion (inflation-adjusted). Since 1980, losses have grown exponentially and now regularly exceed US$ 100 billion per year, costing 25% more to human populations every decade in inflation-adjusted terms. Tropical storms often trigger heavy rainfall resulting in floods, casualties, and destruction of assets worth billions of dollars. Approximately 560 million people are exposed yearly and this number has increased across all cyclone intensities over the past two decades.

Insurance premium costs incurred by maritime activities grew by 5.9%

with the expansion of global trade and increasing threats. Global marine insurance premiums totalled US$ 38.9 billion in 2023, a 5.9% increase from 2022. Steady growth has occurred over the past 5 years. Geopolitical tensions on global trade routes have significantly impacted insurance premiums and increased voyage costs by rerouting vessels, causing longer transit times. The growth also reveals the rise in insurance costs against hurricanes, war conflicts and piracy. The main insurance premiums reported by the International Union of Maritime Insurance and P&I (Protection and Indemnity) clubs insure around 95% of all risks, but public insurance figures provide only a partial view of total risk exposure. In particular, damages to marine ecosystems in case of oil spills vary widely and some cannot be valued in monetary terms.

9,002 migrants died at sea, the highest toll in the past decade.

More than 73,000 migrants have died or disappeared at sea during the past decade, with the highest toll in 2024 at 9,002 fatalities or disappearances. This represents a 3% increase from 2023, but a 25% increase from 2022. Poverty, unemployment, starvation and in security are the main drivers of migration. Changing environmental conditions, e.g. from sea-level rise, depletion of marine resources due to overfishing and climate variability, are also important drivers of forced dis placement. However, the specific relationship between oceanic changes and migrant fatalities remains unclear and would require further investigation.

US$ 250 billion health costs and 1,200 species affected by marine plastic pollution.

In 2015, health costs related to plastic exposure through seafood exceeded US$ 250 billion globally. Chemicals carried by microplastics have been found in human blood, fat, and urine, and are linked to cancer, infertility, obesity, heart disease, and developmental issues in babies — even before birth. Over 1,200 marine species were reported to be harmed by plastic pollution through entanglement, ingestion and chemical contamination.