State-By-State Climate Change Costs Will Be In The Billions, Says Report

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A number of U.S. states will incur a cost in the billions of dollars as a result of climate
change, according
to a series of reports from the University of Maryland’s Center for
Integrative Environmental Research (CIER).

By combining existing data with new analysis, the study projects
the long term economic impact of global warming on certain states, with more
state data in progress now. For a full report, visit the CIER site.

 “…Climate change will cost billions in the long run and the
bottom line will be red,” says Matthias Ruth, who coordinated the research and
directs the CIER. “Inaction or delayed action will make the ink run redder.”

The economic impacts are based on climate changes already underway. In other
words, unabated global warming will
likely increase these economic effects.

One example of a state with likely high costs includes Colorado, expected to incur more than $1
billion in losses due to impacts on tourism, forestry, water resources and
human health from a predicted drier, warmer climate.