Human-caused climate change is one of the threats to sustainability.. Sea levels are rising, causing entire islands to disappear and coastal cities to flood. Climate Action Benefits: Health | Climate Change in the United … We're arming the new administration with facts, evidence, and science. The Nordic Region. While three-quarters of nations will take hits to their national economies, Canada is projected to see outsized benefits. It also includes the economic and social changes which stem from living in a warmer world. The effects of climate change span the physical environment, ecosystems and human societies. Sveinung Rotevatn, Minister for Climate and the Environment of Norway said: “The world is facing several crises at the same time. For all these reasons, making swift and deep cuts in our emissions is a smart choice for the United States. But this benefit is a two-edged sword: weeds, many invasive plant species, and insect pests will also thrive in a warmer world. Climate change has done more good than harm so far and is likely to continue doing so for most of this century. There is a big synergy here, because fossil fuels are not only the main source of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change, but also the main source of ai… Yet these impacts to health are still not well recognized. Water shortages have wide-ranging consequences. Since mitigation, and in a lot of cases, adaptation, will take time to implement and to reduce … Agricultural growing seasons will significantly expand. 2. In the end, even Tol's rosy outlook on the net costs and benefits of climate change acknowledges that by 2075, climate change will do net damage. UCS estimates that investing in cleaner vehicles and a more efficient transportation system could cut our use of petroleum products by 6 million barrels a day— as much oil as we now import from PEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries). Climate change poses significant risks to humans and the environment. The burgeoning clean energy economy could also be an important source of jobs for disadvantaged workers in inner cities and Rust Belt towns. The health of human populations is sensitive to shifts in weather patterns and other aspects of climate change (very high confidence). | Environment | The Guardian The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that ACES would lead to very modest costs for the agricultural sector in the short term, but potentially significant net benefits over the medium to long term from the growing market for agricultural “offsets.” Instead of directly reducing their own emissions, industries subject to a cap on global warming emissions would pay farmers and ranchers to increase the amount of carbon stored in soils and vegetation, reduce methane emissions from animal waste, or reduce nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer use. As Earth's climate changes, here are three regions that could be big winners. The duration of these benefits is unknown because, under unmitigated climate change, continued sea‐ice loss is expected to eventually have negative demographic and ecological effects on all polar bears. We must halt the loss of biodiversity and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. No purchase necessary. Urge the Senate to require employers follow science-based protections for workers and their communities. Farmers can also make money by installing wind turbines, solar panels, and other clean energy technologies on their land and buildings. Agricultural yields will likely fall in many of the globe's breadbasket regions. Using energy more efficiently and reducing global warming emissions would help all families—especially low-income families—lower their energy bills. According to the EIA, for example, household energy costs would be less than $10 a month higher in 2020, or less than 33 cents a day, and the total discounted GDP losses from the 2012 to 2030 time period would amount to just 0.2 percent of GDP. Droughts are growing more common and lasting longer. Learn more. Call on Congress to prioritize science-based election reforms. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to human health in the 21st century. Land and Sea Ice Loss Ice is an important part of the global climate system because it reflects a large amount of solar radiation while also … Several recent studies show that acting quickly and decisively to address this challenge and shift our economy to The bill would also provide monthly cash refunds and annual tax credits to low-income individuals. And these studies exclude or underestimate important mechanisms for containing these costs, such as greater efficiency, and ignore the savings that would come from avoiding many of the costs of climate change itself. put the nation on a path to cutting emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050 and require significant reductions in the near term as well, be comprehensive, combining a cap on carbon emissions with crucial policies that help us shift to more efficient and cleaner forms of energy and transportation, protect tropical forests and fund adaptation to climate change. And water prices could rise not only for farmers but also for industry and homeowners, especially in areas where growing populations are already putting stress on water resources, such as the southwest United States. Msg & data rates may apply. If global warming continues unabated, extreme heat waves that now occur once every 20 years are projected to occur about every other year by the end of the century in much of the country. Unfortunately, though, many of these benefits are short-term and are greatly overshadowed by the negative impacts that climate change brings. Urban areas such as Philadelphia, Chicago, and Indianapolis will likely experience the worst effects. Independent analyses of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), the energy and climate bill now being considered by Congress—such as by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Energy Information Administration (EIA)—show that the act’s costs to the U.S. economy would be minimal. These stresses have the potential to act as “threat multipliers,” raising the number of failed states. Action to sharply reduce our global warming emissions can greatly curtail the costs of climate change, especially over the longer term. Below are 10 reasons for strong action to promote clean energy and curb climate change. Many projections suggest that the low end of that temperature range could be breached by mid-century. Northern Minnesota and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Advantages of Climate Change. 10 Animals That Surprisingly Benefit From Climate Change - … Such a “renewable electricity standard” could also stimulate the national as well as local economies by generating $263 billion in new capital investment, $14 billion in income for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners, and $12 billion in new local tax revenues. At the same time, the region's use of electricity is projected to fall the most in Europe as warming winters will reduce the demand for heating. Tell Uber & Lyft to be part of a clean transportation future. Moreover, many animal and plant species that provide us with important medicines and other products—in addition to having intrinsic value—could face extinction. Similarly, India is planning to boost solar power from near zero to 20 gigawatts by 2020, part of an ambitious $19 billion, 30-year plan to increase the share of renewables in that country’s energy mix. Low-income communities will bear a disproportionate share of the impact of climate change and have fewer resources to cope. anywhere from 30% to over 100% of abatement costs). Warmer waters are intensifying hurricanes and augmenting their rainfall. Water availability will be impacted … One study has estimated that, if emissions remain unchecked, losses related to just four areas—hurricane damages, energy costs, water costs, and residential costs stemming from sea-level rise—could equal 1.4 percent of GDP by 2025, and 1.9 percent of GDP by 2100. Share. Some degree of adaptation may be possible—such as by changing crop types, planting dates, and irrigation and fertilizer practices; investing in livestock cooling systems; and taking advantage of crop insurance programs—but these adaptations, too, will likely come at considerable cost. I will post rebuttals to the articles that criticised this piece below. Lower water levels and higher temperatures in streams and rivers could diminish the capacity of hydropower and cause the collapse of some fisheries. Almost a century after the Dust Bowl, the unsolved problem of soil erosion clouds the future of US agriculture. 2 Brattle Square, Cambridge MA 02138, USA Several recent studies show that acting quickly and decisively to address this challenge and shift our economy to clean energy will bring significant benefits to the United States—while also helping us avoid some of the worst consequences of unchecked global warming. Marcelo Mena, the former environment minister of Chile, is on a mission to create a zero-emission economy in his country by 2050. In fact, some areas may actually benefit. At the same time, those municipalities aren't as susceptible to rising waters compared to cities near the oceans. The costs of climate change for the economy and the society will be much higher than the costs of fighting climate change now. While climate change in 100 years may have more dramatic effects, climate change in the next few decades has consequences, too, and for poor farmers struggling now or … Bringing tropical deforestation to zero will contribute to both. Officials in Duluth, Minnesota, a city of roughly 86,000 people along the shores of Lake Superior, have even considered the slogan "climate-proof Duluth". Our transportation system is outdated and broken—and it needs to change. Drought, extreme weather events, changes in food production, and pandemics caused by climate change could drive resource conflicts and migrations in vulnerable parts of the world. The greatest benefit from climate change comes not from temperature change but from carbon dioxide itself. The CIRA project quantifies and monetizes the risks of inaction and benefits to the U.S. of global GHG mitigation within six broad sectors (water resources, electricity, infrastructure, health, agriculture and … The election is over, but the crises are all still here. Warmer waters are intensifying hurricanes and augmenting their rainfall. By addressing global warming, we can also help farmers avoid the most severe consequences of climate change. © Union of Concerned Scientists Headline issue. Are Humans the Major Cause of Global Warming? China—already the world’s largest producer of solar panels—recently committed to increasing its solar power capacity 15 times over by 2011, aiming for two gigawatts of installed capacity by that year. Sign up or text "SCIENCE" to 662266. Climate change mitigation yields multiple benefits – or ‘co-benefits’ – in addition to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Studies show that it is feasible and affordable. In making investments today that affect future generations’ prospects, we need to think carefully about how we value their welfare compared to our own. 1. The IPCC has concluded with high confidence that, by mid-century, precipitation changes owing to climate change will mean that less water will be available in already arid parts of the world, including the western United States. Climate change is one of the most devastating problems humanity has ever faced—and the clock is running out. Poorer populations are more likely to lack health insurance, and in urban areas are disproportionately exposed to ground-level ozone and airborne allergens, increasing the incidence of asthma and other respiratory diseases. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that, over the next two decades, U.S. farmers and rural landowners could earn $1.2 billion in new income through such steps. 3. Terms and conditions. Co-benefits are the added benefits we get when we act to control climate change, above and beyond the direct benefits of a more stable climate. A warming climate would worsen these conditions, while lowering emissions can lessen their impact on low-income families. The Union of Concerned Scientists is actively monitoring the coronavirus pandemic and its implications for scientific integrity. A blog on science, politics, and activism. They’re the most dangerous invention the world has ever seen. Since you can’t change what you don’t understand, this course is designed to equip health and environmental professionals, as well as other changemakers and the public, with critical and usable knowledge to take positive action. Here's how. One of the most obvious examples is cleaner air. Such cuts in emissions will also reduce the amount of mercury and other heavy metals—by-products of coal-fired power plants—that enter our air, water, and food. At the other extreme, the outcome might be increased productivity that pushes the … Prevents ice age. We use cookies to improve your experience. To garner those savings, the nation will need to make some up-front investments—in more efficient appliances, vehicles, heating and cooling systems, and production processes, for example. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Author links open overlay panel Xiaoguang Yang a 1 Fu Chen b 1 Xiaomao Lin c Zhijuan Liu a Hailin Zhang b Jin Zhao a Kenan Li a Qing Ye a Yong Li a Shuo Lv a Peng Yang d e Wenbin Wu d e Zhengguo Li d e Rattan Lal f Huajun Tang d e. Show more. These impacts, along with many others, are predicted to sap the world's economy by trillions of dollars over the next thirty years. Climate change is one of the most urgent issues of our day. The energy choices we make today could make or break our ability to fight climate change. Potential benefits of climate change for crop productivity in China. Strong policies to promote investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean transportation, as part of a comprehensive climate plan, will create the momentum to keep these industries internationally competitive. Our efforts to put the brakes on climate change or adapt to a warming climate present a fundamental tradeoff between costs borne today and benefits that accrue to the children and grandchildren of the current generation. We need to grow a resilient food system from the ground up. The US food system should be providing healthy, sustainable food for everyone. These effects occur directly, due to changes in temperature and precipitation and occurrence of heat waves, floods, droughts, and fires. A recent Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) study found that a standard requiring the nation to produce 25 percent of all electricity from renewable sources by 2025 would create nearly 300,000 new U.S. jobs. Keith King/Traverse City Record-Eagle via AP, Pool, File, In this June 28, 2019, photo crews rebuild a stretch of the Lakewalk behind the Fitger's building in downtown Duluth, Mich. (Dan Kraker/Minnesota Public Radio via AP), Three Places That Will Actually Benefit From Climate Change. A 2009 UCS study found that unleashing the full potential of policies designed to promote efficiency and renewable energy, along with a sharp limit on global warming emissions, would save U.S. households an average of $900 annually by 2030, while businesses would save a total of $126 billion annually. And while agriculture in some parts of the country could benefit from warmer temperatures in the short run, eventually most areas would see costs. Benefit 20 - There are unique spiritual, purpose, meaning, and character-building benefits for individuals and faith communities in dealing with this global warming emergency and forwarding the climate re-stabilization and a global ecological, economic, and political … The poor in coastal and low-lying areas are also less likely to have insurance against losses from hurricanes and floods, and may be less able to relocate if necessary. My Spectator cover story on the net benefits of climate change.. Congress has begun the historic process of enacting legislation to reduce global warming emissions and transition the United States to a clean energy economy. Could climate change be a good thing? At one extreme, it has been estimated that climate change might reduce agricultural productivity so much as to cut the value of agricultural land by almost 20 percent. For example, rising seas threaten coastal barrier reefs, which protect communities from storm surges, and wetlands, which filter impurities from water. By leasing land for one utility-scale wind turbine, for instance, a farmer could earn $3,000 a year. It provides a clear direction of … The potential value of the co-benefits of climate action is large and insufficiently incorporated. However, the resulting drops in energy bills from reductions in electricity and fuel use will more than offset the costs of these investments. More green jobs and lower costs. Average temperatures in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland are expected to increase more than the global average over the ensuing decades (as much as 3 to 5 degrees Celsius by 2080). According to the Nobel prize–winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), if global temperatures rise more than 3˚–5˚F, up to 30 percent of plant and animal species could become extinct. Text "SCIENCE" to 662266 or sign up online. Renewable energy has been one of the bright spots of the U.S. economy during these hard times. Entry: Global Warming Lorem Ipsum Dolor Sit ... intensifying hurricanes and augmenting their rainfall, University of Illinois economist David Albouy, communities all along North America's Great Lakes, as much as 3 to 5 degrees Celsius by 2080. Make no mistake, human-caused climate change is an urgent global threat, one in which the consequences vastly outweigh the benefits. The solar industry estimates that it created more than 15,000 jobs in 2007 and 2008, and the wind industry boasts of having created more than 35,000 new direct and indirect jobs in 2008. Another type of benefit of climate change policies is known as ancillary or co-benefits (and costs) of climate change policies. Ice age is the period in which the temperature drops to the extent that life becomes extremely difficult on Earth. 5 This corresponds to 0.2–0.8 per cent of global investment flows, or just 0.06–0.21 per cent of projected global GDP, in 2030. It also … While climate change is commonly characterized by extremes in temperature and weather, the northernmost parts of Minnesota and Michigan may actually end up with more moderate temperatures and weather patterns, according to University of Illinois economist David Albouy. Make no mistake, human-caused climate change is an urgent global threat, one in which the consequences vastly outweigh the benefits. Why isn’t it? Drought and pests threaten forests, which provide lumber. "We’re not seeing worse heat waves or longer heat waves or more of those long nights that don’t fall below 75 degrees,” Dr. Kenneth Blumenfeld, a senior climatologist at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, told the New York Times. They do not include the directbenefits of climate policy arising from a more stable climate. Democracy and science can be powerful partners for the public good—and both are under attack. For example, as sources of water used for irrigation dry up, the costs of producing food could rise. Climate change is contributing to snowpack losses and melting glaciers in the United States, leading to water shortages in the West. A straightforward explanation of how we know that humans cause global warming, using charts, graphs, and plain language. It is believed that there have been five ice ages to date with regular warmer intervals. 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