Or should we say… climate maladaptation?

September 12, 2023

illuminem.com

https://illuminem.com/illuminemvoices/or-should-we-say-climate-maladaptation

Why doesn’t the world’s largest economy get its act right in dealing with the biggest existential crisis ever? Despite all the counter-offensive from fossil fuel industry and climate deniers, the evidence of what stares at us is pretty loud and clear. In this Op-ed for illuminem, I allude to some recent stories.

For instance, within next 50 years would the US struggle to meet the population’s water demand? In these times you just cannot ignore what’s cooking across the border in Canada, as well. Can global warming push Canada’s climate past recognition in 2060? Isn’t there much to learn from the devastating fires in Maui? Shouldn’t the indigenous people play a critical role in managing the forests? Why would two of the most generously bestowed countries choose to disregard Nature and not pick the obvious signals?

The average window between billion-dollar climate disasters in the United States has drastically reduced to a mere 20 days. US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, recently expressed alarm at the growing protection gap for Americans seeking insurance against property losses. According to some estimates the US alone will face over $2 trillion, in costs annually, by the end of the century due to climate change.

Yet, US is behind more than a third of global oil and gas expansion plans by mid-century (please see comments). Countering a fast-approaching dystopia calls for shedding climate maladaptation.

#climateemergency