A new study asserts that pollution-spurred climate change could cost Kansas more than $250 million a year.
The study, released jointly Wednesday by the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Center for Integrative Environmental Research, concludes that rising temperatures connected with "unchecked" climate change could trigger more flash floods, additional severe storms and tornadoes, and the spread of more invasive species that could threaten crops.
The report is among several studies compiled by the center at the University of Maryland.
"Unless we take action to cut the pollution : taxpayers and businesses will be hit with job losses, rising in food costs and increases in extreme weather," said Dan Grossman, a regional director for the Environmental Defense Fund, which helped finance the studies.
State Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, said an "increase in global temperatures is real" but is skeptical about how much difference any action in Kansas could make.
"The state of Kansas can contribute to a national policy, but on our own we're not going to make an appreciable difference in what is a global problem," Sloan said.
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Phillbert (anonymous) says…
"The state of Kansas can contribute to a national policy, but on our own we're not going to make an appreciable difference in what is a global problem," Sloan said.I guess that's why Tom Sloan voted for the coal plants. Not that he mentioned that in his recent mailer.
Jimbo (Robert bickers) says…
Ugh . . . more bluster from people "smarter than us.""Cut the pollution" should equate to auto emissions standards and nuclear power plants, not limits on CO2 which is a minor factor, if a factor at all. Lawrence autos are probably worse for the environment than the clean-coal plants.
jaywalker (anonymous) says…
Let me get this straight.....They're making predictions based on predicting the weather? And then they're predicting what all this speculation will cost? Where's Nostradomus when you need him?