Clashing with Trump, U.S. government report says climate change will batter economy

 

U.S. President Donald Trump takes questions from the media after speaking via teleconference with troops from Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 22, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Thayer

 

(Reuters) - Climate change will cost the U.S. economy hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century, hitting everything from health to infrastructure, according to a government report issued on Friday that the White House called inaccurate.

 

The congressionally mandated report, written with the help of more than a dozen U.S. government agencies and departments, outlined the projected impact of global warming on every corner of American society in a dire warning that is at odds with the Trump administration's pro-fossil-fuels agenda.

 

"With continued growth in emissions at historic rates, annual losses in some economic sectors are projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century - more than the current gross domestic product (GDP) of many U.S. states," the report, the Fourth National Climate Assessment Volume II, said.

 

Global warming would disproportionately hurt the poor, broadly undermine human health, damage infrastructure, limit the availability of water, alter coastlines, and boost costs in industries from farming, to fisheries and energy production, the report said.

 

But it added that projections of further damage could change if greenhouse gas emissions are sharply curbed, even though many of the impacts of climate change - including more frequent and more powerful storms, droughts and flooding - are already under way. "Future risks from climate change depend primarily on decisions made today," it said.

 

The report supplements a study issued last year that concluded humans are the main driver of global warming and warned of catastrophic effects to the planet.

 

The studies clash with policy under President Donald Trump, who has been rolling back Obama-era environmental and climate protections to maximize production of domestic fossil fuels, including crude oil, already the highest in the world, above Saudi Arabia and Russia.

 

White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said the new report was "largely based on the most extreme scenario, which contradicts long-established trends by assuming that...there would be limited technology and innovation, and a rapidly expanding population."

 

The government's next update of the National Climate Assessment, she said, "gives us the opportunity to provide for a more transparent and data-driven process that includes fuller information on the range of potential scenarios and outcomes."

 

Trump last year announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris Deal agreed by nearly 200 nations to combat climate change, arguing the accord would hurt the U.S. economy and provide little tangible environmental benefit. Trump and several members of his cabinet have also repeatedly cast doubt on the science of climate change, arguing that the causes and impacts are not yet settled.

 

Environmental groups said the report reinforced their calls for the United States to take action on climate change.

 

"While President Trump continues to ignore the threat of climate change, his own administration is sounding the alarm," said Abigail Dillen, president of environmental group Earthjustice. "This report underscores what we are already seeing firsthand: climate change is real, it's happening here, and it's happening now."

 

Previous research, including from U.S. government scientists, has also concluded that climate change could have severe economic consequences, including damage to infrastructure, water supplies and agriculture.

 

Severe weather and other impacts also increase the risk of disease transmission, decrease air quality, and can increase mental health problems, among other effects.

 

Thirteen government departments and agencies, from the Agriculture Department to NASA, were part of the committee that compiled the new report.

 

The entire report can be viewed at http://www.globalchange.gov

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-11-24

6 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

"While President Trump continues to ignore the threat of climate change, his own administration is sounding the alarm," said Abigail Dillen, president of environmental group Earthjustice

It is very easy for those who won't be around when the impact really hits to focus on profits today. Mr. Trump is either incredibly stupid to ignore the warnings from all around the world, or as is more likely, deliberately ignores it so that he and his nasty associates can reap dollars now, which the country and the world will have to pay for in time.

I opt for the incredibly stupid explanation  

both.

Both of the above options plus one more trump knows more than anyone in history just ask him he will tell you after all he is a very stable genius (yeiks)!!

Trump is a 'right here, right now' sort of person. He is only concerned about his image of being a businessman (555) and a great leader (LOL) who makes hard fast decisions that he thinks MAGA.

His foresight is zip. His genuine concern for the masses is zip. His concern for future generations is zip.

Just like all the many other decisions he has made in his life that are now coming home to haunt him, so too will any and all of his decisions about climate change.

But with that said, and considering how he flip flops frequently, he may well flip on this one and declare climate change real, before 2020. He will then blame others for his past transgressions and hail himself the hero of climate change initiatives.

He has no shame !

The government is lying about climate change, The CIA is lying about the Prince., No wonder Trump is having a hard time, with everyone around him lying. Even the Finns are lying about not RAKING the forest. How did such an honest guy get to become president!

Trump is a science denier, an opportunist, a man who has no relationship to "truth", and a man who it totally beholden to both corporate interests, and lobbyists. He has never, ever said no to a lobbyist. And his party does not believe that climate warming is caused by man, or that it is even happening!

 

He has applied the same level of passion, into his denial of this report and climate change in general, as he has applied to his defense of his dear friend Putin, and Bin Salman. That is simply what he does. That is his M.O. He makes stuff up on the spot. 

 

No reason for concern. He got elected by ignorant shock comments and insults. That has worn off. No policy, no smarts, no negotiating ability, no political IQ, no dignity, no grace, or relationship to truth or possibly even God. He is on his way out. Few will miss this ignorant racist. 

It looks like the globalist media (Reuters) continues to double down on pushing a one world government with a "carbon credit tax" which will magically stop all climate change caused by the sun's activity. 

Rational scientists continue to question theories.

It seems that anyone who questions the findings of paid for research results with an agenda get shouted down by the media.

It also seems like one can only find rational questioning of the establishment media in the alternative media (Labeled as fake news or conspiracy theory media)

7 minutes ago, milwaukeeboy said:

It looks like the globalist media (Reuters) continues to double down on pushing a one world government with a "carbon credit tax" which will magically stop all climate change caused by the sun's activity. 

Rational scientists continue to question theories.

It seems that anyone who questions the findings of paid for research results with an agenda get shouted down by the media.

It also seems like one can only find rational questioning of the establishment media in the alternative media (Labeled as fake news or conspiracy theory media)

Care to give us some examples of the "rational questioning" of the "establishment media"?

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

 Few will miss this ignorant racist. 

 

Except the sizable portion of ignorant and/or deluded Americans who just got finished electing a majority Trump-aligned Republican U.S. Senate filled with a lot of politicians who seem to share his views and/or at least say they do in order to continue getting re-elected. SAD!

 

I'm actually surprised Trump and his fossil fuels-led EPA didn't manage to somehow get the report scuttled, delayed or changed. There have been lots of prior reports of this Administration leaning on federal agencies to change report/research findings that they have political opposition to.

 

Edited November 24, 20187 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

I'm not used to having many, if any, original ideas but for several years I've been thinking some form of international institute for climate deniers and environmental vandals should be established and their names and crimes be retained forever for the scorn of those folks following us who have to live with, and if possible, fix what might have been easier to do so if they acted appropriately in their lifetime and means. Trump and from Australia Abbott and Joyce would be obvious nominees.

1 hour ago, milwaukeeboy said:

It looks like the globalist media (Reuters) continues to double down on pushing a one world government with a "carbon credit tax" which will magically stop all climate change caused by the sun's activity. 

Rational scientists continue to question theories.

It seems that anyone who questions the findings of paid for research results with an agenda get shouted down by the media.

It also seems like one can only find rational questioning of the establishment media in the alternative media (Labeled as fake news or conspiracy theory media)

I’m sure that rational scientists do indeed continue to question theories... that’s what scientists do... conceptualize theories and test them, until a theory is proven, whereby it becomes natural law.

 

that said, I can only assume that , given the totality of your post, you know of scientists that work for free ( vs being paid to research), who have come up with demonstrable proof that the scientists who work for money, are committing a fraud on the worlds citizens... in which case, please share, because I for one, would love to see definitive proof that global warming does not actually exist.

9 minutes ago, farcanell said:

I’m sure that rational scientists do indeed continue to question theories... that’s what scientists do... conceptualize theories and test them, until a theory is proven, whereby it becomes natural law.

 

that said, I can only assume that , given the totality of your post, you know of scientists that work for free ( vs being paid to research), who have come up with demonstrable proof that the scientists who work for money, are committing a fraud on the worlds citizens... in which case, please share, because I for one, would love to see definitive proof that global warming does not actually exist.

Call me psychic but I'm pretty sure you're not holding your breath waiting for an answer.... 

Nuclear winter is the only solution. 

26 minutes ago, farcanell said:

I’m sure that rational scientists do indeed continue to question theories... that’s what scientists do... conceptualize theories and test them, until a theory is proven, whereby it becomes natural law.

 

that said, I can only assume that , given the totality of your post, you know of scientists that work for free ( vs being paid to research), who have come up with demonstrable proof that the scientists who work for money, are committing a fraud on the worlds citizens... in which case, please share, because I for one, would love to see definitive proof that global warming does not actually exist.

I wish I had come up with that.

2 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Except the sizable portion of ignorant and/or deluded Americans who just got finished electing a majority Trump-aligned Republican U.S. Senate filled with a lot of politicians who seem to share his views and/or at least say they do in order to continue getting re-elected. SAD!

 

I'm actually surprised Trump and his fossil fuels-led EPA didn't manage to somehow get the report scuttled, delayed or changed. There have been lots of prior reports of this Administration leaning on federal agencies to change report/research findings that they have political opposition to.

 

That's a very deceptive characterization of what happened in the midterms.

There was only one NATIONWIDE election then and it was for the HOUSE.

In that NATIONWIDE election the party of "trump" lost by a massive landslide in popular votes and there was a real BLUE WAVE in seat gains. But that would have been a much bigger BLUE seats gain except for structural hindrances of gerrymandering and republican race based voter suppression. 

The number of senators was much more limited and coincidentally was mostly in states where the party of "trump" was heavily favored. 

The house was a national referendum on "trump" and the people said NO. But he won't adjust at all and indeed has made it clear he didn't even get the message.

 

Edited November 24, 20187 yr by Jingthing

5 hours ago, darksidedog said:

It is very easy for those who won't be around when the impact really hits to focus on profits today. Mr. Trump is either incredibly stupid to ignore the warnings from all around the world, or as is more likely, deliberately ignores it so that he and his nasty associates can reap dollars now, which the country and the world will have to pay for in time.

Yes, don't expect any change at all on environmental issues from 45. He doesn't improve. He gets worse. After all, the clown already said he's for great climate. The only hope is to FIRE him and the party he now owns ASAP. 

2 hours ago, milwaukeeboy said:

It looks like the globalist media (Reuters) continues to double down on pushing a one world government with a "carbon credit tax" which will magically stop all climate change caused by the sun's activity. 

Rational scientists continue to question theories.

It seems that anyone who questions the findings of paid for research results with an agenda get shouted down by the media.

It also seems like one can only find rational questioning of the establishment media in the alternative media (Labeled as fake news or conspiracy theory media)

Looking forward to your connection between Reuters and carbon credits 

this will never happen.  the human race is a virus that will soon be eradicated by the planet.  feel sorry for the kids that are being born today.. we had the best of it.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

That's a very deceptive characterization of what happened in the midterms.

There was only one NATIONWIDE election then and it was for the HOUSE.

In that NATIONWIDE election the party of "trump" lost by a massive landslide in popular votes and there was a real BLUE WAVE in seat gains. But that would have been a much bigger BLUE seats gain except for structural hindrances of gerrymandering and republican race based voter suppression. 

The number of senators was much more limited and coincidentally was mostly in states where the party of "trump" was heavily favored. 

The house was a national referendum on "trump" and the people said NO. But he won't adjust at all and indeed has made it clear he didn't even get the message.

 

i think the Senate is fed up with this clown.

 

this will never happen.  the human race is a virus that will soon be eradicated by the planet.  feel sorry for the kids that are being born today.. we had the best of it.

I wouldn't use your tone as I kind of like humanity but in substance I agree with you. Oh well.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Shocking news! News about the report has disappeared from Foxnews.com home page!

What happened to Global cooling and the return of the ice age.  follow the money people and wake up.

1 hour ago, ToddinChonburi said:

What happened to Global cooling and the return of the ice age.  follow the money people and wake up.

Science happened.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_cooling

 

”the basic conclusion to be drawn from the discussion in this section (global cooling) is that the knowledge nessesay to understand the mechanism of climate change is still lamentably inadequate” 

 

this in 1972, after the reduction in temperatures noted between 1950 and 1970 (roughly)

 

In suggesting we “follow the money”, are you referencing fossil fuel lobby money?

 

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

That's a very deceptive characterization of what happened in the midterms.

There was only one NATIONWIDE election then and it was for the HOUSE.

In that NATIONWIDE election the party of "trump" lost by a massive landslide in popular votes and there was a real BLUE WAVE in seat gains. But that would have been a much bigger BLUE seats gain except for structural hindrances of gerrymandering and republican race based voter suppression. 

The number of senators was much more limited and coincidentally was mostly in states where the party of "trump" was heavily favored. 

The house was a national referendum on "trump" and the people said NO. But he won't adjust at all and indeed has made it clear he didn't even get the message.

 

 

Jing, I understand the difference between the House and the Senate races, and which ones were up for election this past cycle. Nonetheless, in my book, the fact that the Republicans have managed to keep and maintain the majority vote in the Senate is a sorry indictment on the intellect of the American people.

 

Two years of Trump ought to be enough to make anyone and everyone recognize he and his followers are irrational, anti-intellectual, facts and truth-ignoring somethings. And yet, sizable number of Americans keep supporting him/them and voting for him/them -- as well as, denying climate change, opposing abortion rights, opposing any/all gun ownership restrictions amid continuing domestic massacres, siding with racist/nationalists, accepting Trump's entanglements with Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, etc etc etc.

Edited November 24, 20187 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

1 hour ago, ToddinChonburi said:

What happened to Global cooling and the return of the ice age.  follow the money people and wake up.

It's Big Solar and Wind against the enfeebled and impoverished Oil midgets.

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Jing, I understand the difference between the House and the Senate races, and which ones were up for election this past cycle. Nonetheless, in my book, the fact that the Republicans have managed to keep and maintain the majority vote in the Senate is a sorry indictment on the intellect of the American people.

 

Two years of Trump ought to be enough to make anyone and everyone recognize he and his followers are irrational, anti-intellectual, facts and truth-ignoring somethings. And yet, sizable number of Americans keep supporting him/them and voting for him/them -- as well as, denying climate change, opposing abortion rights, opposing any/all gun ownership restrictions amid continuing domestic massacres, siding with racist/nationalists, accepting Trump's entanglements with Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, etc etc etc.

I'm disappointed too but we're always going to have those morons. That's the baseline. 

Trump is to climate change what George Bush was to middle east peace !

12 hours ago, Langsuan Man said:

I opt for the incredibly stupid explanation  

The men is a psychopath, to him morality is as the color red to a blind for life person. 

  I have considered all the options (impeachment, 25th amendment etc)  and IMO these solutions present problems greater than the cure. Sadly we will have to endure him for another   790. days. : 01. hours. : 59, and try to limit the damage he causes to this country and the world.

History will not judge him and as who elected him kindly.

Edited November 24, 20187 yr by sirineou