The economic impact of climate change

I don't think those who deny man's influence on climate change should be silenced, but a small minority shouldn't paralyze society from what needs to be done... the 'paralysis by analysis' phenomenon.

The group of people who deny the impact of climate change is very diverse. Some deny its very existence. Others say it's natural and that man has no effect in causing (and thus slowing) it. Some claim that the rage in the 1970s was scaremongering over global cooling. Of course, if we can go from global cooling to global warming in only a generation, then isn't this good evidence that something wacky is going on? After all, scientists call the phenomenon climate change, not global whatever.

Some people argue that to do anything about climate change will destroy the economy. New York Times' columnist Thomas Friedman and others argue the opposite. The United States has always been a technological and innovative leader. Embracing, nay pushing, the green agenda would be a great boon to American business who are well-positioned to take advantage of this. All it needs are the right incentives and this is where public policy comes in. It's a great example of where the right thing to do and the profitable thing to do can intersect if given a little nudge.

In fact, there's plenty of evidence to suggest that NOT taking action to slow down climate change will have a serious economic impact. Particularly here in the northeast, where tourism, agriculture and other commerce related to stable weather patterns are a key parts of the region's economy.

Just recently, I've seen a number of pieces in the regional media on this topic. Such as...

-North Country Public Radio (NCPR) did several pieces on the impact of climate change including one on how it risks affecting the very character of the northeast

-Another on how climate change is affect the supply of fresh water

-And a third on its impact on agriculture

-The Boston Globe, ABC News and The Christian Science Monitor all did pieces on how climate change was ruining maple production, one of key money earners in Vermont and northern New York.

-There were not one but but two articles in The Adirondack Daily Enterprise on how climate change is seriously affecting the ski industry. The Enterprise is based in Saranac Lake, in the heart of New York's ski country. Outdoor tourism is arguably the single most important part of the economy of New York's North Country.

-The same paper also pointed out the negative impact on the logging industry, still a key player in some parts of the Adirondacks.

So the next time someone says we "can't afford" to do anything about climate change, tell them we can't afford not to.