Climate and energy

Sent to me by Sarah Kessinger and also Climateer (within about five minutes of each other) - As part of its ongoing studies into the costs of climate change, the University of Maryland has just released eight major case studies regarding how climate change might have an impact on different states across the U.S.

Kansas is one of the case studies.

For a .pdf of the full report (20 pages), click here. I’m also working on a more in-depth summary of the research, but for now think about the following findings. All figures are in 2007 dollars.

(Keep in mind, the study is based on models to help local and state governments with risk management, adaptation, and prevention. Models are projections, not predictions, and they are always being improved on, refined, additional data is added, etc.)

One of the major effects of climate change is increased flooding. On average, floods cause $33 million in damage for all of KS per year. These losses will increase. Water quality will deteriorate due to increased run-off.

For the agricultural sector, costs from flooding will be around $150 million per year. For other sectors combined, losses will be around $87 million and 700 jobs.

Climate change also increases invasive species that threaten agricultural yields. Right now KS loses $871 million to invasive species per year, or 8% total market value of crops. If invasive species increase even 1% per year, this will also cause $58 million in damage to other sectors as well as a loss of approximately 400 ag jobs by 2017.

Climate change will impact the growing seasons for wheat, sorghum, and hay crops. For a 9 degree Fahrenheit temperature rise and 1 percent decrease in precipitation (possible in western KS by 2035), the total crop value will decrease by 11 percent, or $290.4 million dollars. The impact on the rest of the KS economy would be $169 million and a loss of almost 1400 jobs.

Climate change also has an impact on human health, in particular respiratory illnesses like asthma. Already in 2001, direct and indirect costs of asthma treatment in Overland Park and Kansas City KS were at $13 million annually. In 1998, costs associated with missed work days totaled $105 million.

— Maril Hazlett, www.climateandenergy.org