Some current research reveals that 95% of Latin American cities are actively preparing for climate change, but only 59% of US cities are taking such action:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120605130752.htm
Do they know something we don’t know?
The difference clearly does not lie in wealth and ability to invest in these measures. Rather, it lies partly in their vulnerability and partly in their evidence.
They can see their glaciers melting, and know the consequences will be severe.
The researchers believe another factor is that climate change is less politically contentious in these more active countries.
Thus, the 3 big countries that are ambivalent about whether climate change is even happening are Canada, the US and Australia. These are all countries with a strong lobby force for their fossil fuel mining industries.
Money talks, and maybe it has bought our ignorance, which is just the way the mining companies and their media stooges like it.
I suspect if our coastlines start showing much more wear and tear, there will be a lot of people jumping up and down demanding billions and billions to protect their properties.
I am in Albury Wodonga, 250m above sea level.
Comment by Chris Lewis — June 7, 2012 @ 8:37 am
sea level rise is just one of the cascading impacts that Australia is already starting to see. And for money to be found for protecting expensive property, have a look at this study of what they expect in the US:
http://papers.risingsea.net/NJ/CM.html
Comment by Ronda Jambe — June 7, 2012 @ 5:59 pm
Interesting paper. Thanks.
Comment by Chris Lewis — June 8, 2012 @ 8:33 am