Archive for Thursday, July 24, 2008

Report forecasts climate-caused costs

July 24, 2008

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Kansas Climate Change Report ( .PDF )

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.