The increasingly developed landscape of modern society is in as much danger as ever from the catastrophic forces of Mother Nature. Due in part to its extensive infrastructure and high rates of development, the United States alone in 2012 suffered 69% of the $170 billion in global losses to natural disasters.

I find it interesting that Asia suffered 11% more overall natural disaster events in 2012, when compared to the United States. However, the United States lost $117.2 billion due to natural disasters, and Asia lost $27.2 billion. What an outstanding difference. Another fact to take away is that the entire Southern hemisphere lost only 2% of the overall financial loss of the world.