Thomas Kostigen

The extreme weather events that have been historically occurring every 100 years are now happening every three years -- and they are getting more intense. Last year, more than 3,000 weather records were broken. Some 22,000 people die every year from weather-related events, which doesn’t include the 1.5 million traffic accidents that are indirectly weather’s fault. And $485 billion worth of destruction occurs every year from weather.

New York Times bestselling author Thomas M. Kostigen shares what is behind these extreme weather events and what the future may hold in store, with stories, data, intelligence and fascinating details of storms, victims, opportunities, and hazards.

Kostigen is the author of two extreme weather survival books for National Geographic, and has traveled extensively around the globe to some of the most extreme places on the planet. He has reported from war zones to the world’s wonders and believes weather is the new war zone for us all.

General audiences will learn how extreme weather can affect them in ways they may have never before imagined. For example, 150,000 people contract Valley Fever every year -- and many may not know it. The disease, for which there is no cure, is a fungal disease and is largely spread through dust and sandstorms. Heat is the number one weather killer of people. More people die of heart attacks in winter. And teenage boys are the most susceptible to being struck by lightning...in the month of July.

Kostigen explains where and when people are most vulnerable to storms -- and what can they do about it. Safety and prevention tips across 16 different storm types -- from heat waves to floods to wildfires, hurricanes, blizzards, tornadoes, and more -- will be relayed along with discussions of what may be in store for us in the future. Kostigen lays out what it will take to survive the new normal of extreme weather, whether that is by choosing the safest site on which to build a home, or what type of diet is best to eat when it’s cold and when it’s hot outside.

Business audiences will discover just how vulnerable companies -- and in turn investments -- are due to extreme weather events. Floods in Thailand, by example, hurt the earnings of HP, Lenovo, Dell and Microsoft. Extreme weather in Latin America inflated logistics costs by $33 million for Chiquita Brand International. From Asia and South America (which just saw its first hurricane) to North America, Europe, the Middle East Africa, and beyond, Kostigen maps out --continent by continent--the hotspots and the risks.

He also proffers opportunities: Catastrophic bonds (CAT Bonds) are being underwritten at record levels and have become all the rage within elite financial circles.

By bringing to life science, finance and experiences on the ground, Kostigen creates a lively presentation and sparks productive discussions. Each presentation is customized to address the specific circumstances, geography, and predilections of the audience.

The author of numerous books, articles and essays on the environment for major publications, including, Discover (where he wrote the Better Planet blog), The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, The Los Angeles Times, Men’s Health, and National Geographic Adventure, Kostigen appears regularly in the media, and has been featured on CNN, The Today Show, Fox News, CNBC’s Squawk Box, MSNBC’s Morning Joe, National Public Radio, the Dennis Miller Show, Bloomberg Night Talk, Planet Green, Hollywood Green, Entertainment Tonight, The Daily Green, USA Today, USA Weekend, among others.

At the podium he combines in-the-field experiences with practical know-how.

Conference organizers, associations, and event planners can present a unique program to attendees that is both fascinating and actionable.

This speaking program is a must for anyone who wants to know more about the weird and extreme weather we are experiencing all around the world.