Advances in cockpit technology have all but eliminated traditional threats such as jets flying into mountains in bad weather or slamming into the ground because of sudden wind changes on approach.

WSJ: The New Frontier in Air Safety

Some blame bad weather, such as the October floods in China's Hainan province, which damaged crops and helped raise food prices.

ECONOMIST: Memories of 2008 are influencing Asia��s policymakers

"Bad weather in spring prevented honey bees in many areas from collecting nectar from early flowering crops such as oil seed rape, and the rain continued in many places throughout June and July preventing honey bees from foraging on later crops, " he said.

BBC: Honey harvest 'devastated' by wet summer