From pipelines to emissions: These climate change issues are claiming the spotlight in MN Nora G. Hertel, St. Cloud Times Biden signs new climate change orders, says we've 'waited too long' to deal with crisis Replay Video Last year was a big year for global crises. While people wrestled with the threats to their lives and livelihoods of COVID-19, the world reached new climate change milestones. In 2020 the U.S. clocked 22 disasters, from hurricanes to wildfires, that each cost more than $1 billion in damages. That's the most billion-dollar weather and climate disasters ever counted in a year by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And last year tied with 2016 as the hottest year on record.