by Meagan Dorsch
While the debate rages on about how to protect the planet, the changing climate may threaten some states' economies.
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the Center for Integrative Environmental Research (CIER) at the University of Maryland have worked together to develop State Economic and Environmental Costs of Climate Change reports. The reports summarize the climatic changes affecting a range of states, the potential fiscal impact and the affect of any future climate changes. The findings for twelve states were released by NCSL and CIER in 2008.
We sit down with NCSL's Glen Anderson to discuss these reports and what action states are taking to deal with possible changes in the climate. Scientists say global temperatures have risen about 1° F during the past century and are expected to increase between 3° F to 7° F by the end of this century. Glen explains how the changing climate may be costly for states. Farming, forestry, water resources, tourism and transportation could suffer losses. Costs are likely to vary, depending on the location of the state and the sectors upon which the state’s economy relies.
Listen to our podcast (9:36) and find out how states are implementing policies to address climate change and environmental sustainability.
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