A compound event framework for understanding extreme impacts. (30th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leonard, Michael; Westra, Seth; Phatak, Aloke; Lambert, Martin; van den Hurk, Bart; McInnes, Kathleen; Risbey, James; Schuster, Sandra; Jakob, Doerte; Stafford‐Smith, Mark
• Is Part Of: Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Volume 5:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 113
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2013-09-30
• Subjects: Climatic changes -- Periodicals; Climatic changes; Periodicals; 363.7387405
• DOI: 10.1002/wcc.252
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-7780

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="wcc252-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p id="wcc252-para-0001">Climate and weather variables such as rainfall, temperature, and pressure are indicators for hazards such as tropical cyclones, floods, and fires. The impact of these events can be due to a single variable being in an extreme state, but more often it is the result of a combination of variables not all of which are necessarily extreme. Here, the combination of variables or events that lead to an extreme impact is referred to as a compound event. Any given compound event will depend upon the nature and number of physical variables, the range of spatial and temporal scales, the strength of dependence between processes, and the perspective of the stakeholder who defines the impact. Modeling compound events is a large, complex, and interdisciplinary undertaking. To facilitate this task we propose the use of influence diagrams for defining, mapping, analyzing, modeling, and communicating the risk of the compound event. Ultimately, a greater appreciation of compound events will lead to further insight and a changed perspective on how impact risks are associated with climate‐related hazards. <italic>WIREs Clim Change</italic> 2014, 5:113–128. doi: 10.1002/wcc.252</p> <p id="wcc252-para-0002">Conflict of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article.</p> <p>For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.</p> </abstract>