Mar 20 2009

Climate Changes

Posted by: Jonathan Marshall

Several news items on the science and politics of global warming caught our attention this week:

• Political and business leaders have just 20 years to prepare for a "perfect storm" of crises related to shortages of food, water and energy due to population growth and global warming, warns John Beddington, "a specialist in the economics and biology of sustainable management of renewable resources" and the chief scientific adviser to the UK government. Failure to act now could lead to public unrest, social conflict and mass migration, he said. 
• The National Association of Insurance Commissioners now requires large insurance companies in the United States to disclose risks they face from global warming. "Climate change will have huge impacts on the insurance industry and we need better information on how insurers are responding to the challenge," said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario. "As regulators, we are concerned about how climate change will impact the financial health of the insurance sector and the availability and affordability of insurance for consumers."
• One of the hottest growth industries these days is lobbying to influence federal policy on climate change. As of the end of 2008, some 2,340 lobbyists representing more than 770 companies and interest groups were pressing their case on Capitol Hill, according to an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity. That works out to more than four climate lobbyists for every member of Congress.
• Even as the Obama administration calls for more action against global warming, public skepticism is on the rise. A Gallup poll shows a six percent drop in the number of people who worry "a great deal" or a "fair amount" about global warming and a record-high 16 percent who are convinced global warming is a myth. A Pew survey in January found that global warming ranked 19th out of 19 issues in public priorities. Experts say public concern over the environment drops off in times of economic hardship.

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