Research Shows Economic Effects Of Climate Change Include Significant Cost To Oregon Households
A group of researchers has published the results of their research in a paper, The Economic Costs of Climate Change for Oregonians: A First Look, which tallies the costs of climate change in Oregon. Should the current rate of emissions continue, Oregon households will pay a stiff price.
Effects of Climate Change on The Economy
Led by Keaton Miller, an associate professor at the University of Oregon, the research seeks to understand and communicate research that has already been done.
Professors from the University of Oregon (UO) and Reed College contributed to the paper which looks at the effects of climate change locally, and particularly the role of wildfires which play an important role in the ecosystem.
The increasing numbers, duration, and severity of the wildfires- driven by factors that include climate change, have caused significant loss.
The death of lower-lying Douglas Firs was part of the research, and other areas where climate plays a role include:
- Air quality
- Fresh water (Oregon Salt Marshes could vanish by 2100)
- Ocean acidification and warming (Rising sea level)
- Global Disruptions
The paper indicates that ‘The average household in Oregon can reasonably expect to suffer damages in the tens of thousands of dollars per year under current emissions scenarios.”
Keaton said that some of the things that are less visible are still impactful, for example, the cost of smoke,
Many people have bought air purifiers and at UO also have these devices. Other costs include lost wages, where a parent stays home from work because the kids can’t go to school from smoke, or the smoke is making you sick.
While the cost of climate change is complex, the group is hoping that policymakers will use their analysis for future investments.