The Economic Cost Of Global Warming

According to a report by the U.N office for Disaster Risk Reduction(UNISDR), in the past two decades disasters related to weather have killed more than 600,000 and 4.1 billion people have injured left homeless or in need of emergency assistance (Cumming-B ). The economic cost of global warming is estimated at 1.2 trillion a year, which is about 1.6% of the global GDP ( Harvey). By 2030 this cost will rise, according to Harvey, 3.2 % but for developing countries the losses will be up to 11 % of their GDP (Harvey). As such global warming if not controlled, not only will cripple income around the world, but it will also widen the gap between rich and poor nations. According to Tigay, experts are saying that since the planet is on overall warming trajectory, extreme weather, with its immense human and financial toll, is likely to continue”( p. 733). Since measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is not taken, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will remain …show more content…
Americans’ per capita emissions of heat-trapping gases is 21 tons, four times the global average ( Weeks, p. 526). As such we all can make a number of choices in our life style, climate friendly choices, that will greatly reduce the impact of global warming. Union of concerned scientists confirms that, each gallon of gas you use is responsible for 25 pound of heat trapping gases in the atmosphere (Union of Concerned Scientists). Therefore, having cars with a better gas mileage not only reduce the impact of global warming but also save you thousands of dollars over the years. Since the energy we used to power, heat, and cool our homes, businesses, and industries is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases (Adams, 968), by adopting technologies that allow to use less energy we can reduce the impact of global