A recent study reveals that climate change has cut U.S. incomes by approximately 12% since 2000, driven by disruptions in national trade and production networks. Derek LeMoyne, the study’s lead author, emphasizes that the overall economic impact stems from changes in weather across the country rather than just local conditions.
Researchers analyzed 50 years of county income data contrasted with climate models simulating a world without human-induced greenhouse gases. While local weather changes account for minimal income losses, the broader account reveals significant impacts on supply chains and prices at a national level.
The study indicates that widespread temperature changes lead to reduced revenue across states, highlighting that economic adaptations are needed for climate impacts beyond local weather risks. Although the analysis does not cover extreme weather events like hurricanes or floods, it underscores the urgent need for climate action, with current inaction already incurring measurable economic costs.
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