How does 90-trillion dollars sound? Got your attention?
The global impact of our rapidly warming and fast melting Arctic could create losses from the destruction of roads and buildings upwards of 90-trillion George Washingtons.
The Arctic Council reports that, "Arctic warming could have cumulative net costs from 2010-2100 of between $7 trillion and $90 trillion, it said, with harm exceeding benefits such as easier access for oil and gas exploration and shipping."
That's the T-word, not the B-word. Trillion dollars, lots of trillions of dollars.
Junior, our petro-prime minister, ain't gonna like this:
Among recommendations, the report said Arctic states and those interested in the region "should lead ... global efforts for an early, ambitious and full implementation" of a Paris Agreement in 2015 among almost 200 nations to limit warming.
Justin Trudeau isn't thinking in terms of early, ambitious or full implementation of the Paris climate agreement. He's thinking more along the lines of eventual, possibly, very limited and partial implementation - something a little more tailored to his partisan political interests. Jesus, I hope he's figuring to make a bundle off bitumen trafficking because we'll be looking at a pretty steep bill to cover the damages.
That's probably a conservative estimate. Whatever it is, the coming changes will break most countries, put an unfathomable number of refugees on the road to higher ground and food, clothing, shelter. Unfortunately, when they arrive they will all want big pickup trucks just like us.
ReplyDeleteFor perspective:
ReplyDeleteOn your clock, a billion seconds is 32 years.
A trillion seconds is 32,000 years!
Justin Trudeau isn't thinking in terms of early, ambitious or full implementation of the Paris climate agreement.
ReplyDeleteI would seem that Justin is not a global warming believer.
Let's be honest.
When a politician procrastinates like Trudeau; her or his heart is not up to the current game.
The world is full of "leaders" that are of the same mind.
Trump is the obvious choice and we can add the psychopath Theresa May to the fold.
On the provincial front we should not ignore Christy Clark and her band of ill-liberals.
TB
Toby, I suppose you're right especially given Ray Blessin's perspective.
ReplyDeleteRay. My jaw just dropped. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteTB, the consequences of your conclusion are rather crushing. Yet I can't argue against you.
ReplyDelete