As it gears up for a battle over cap-and-trade, the Obama
administration is painting a dire picture of the potential
effects of global climate change on the American economy. The
comprehensive report that the administration released today
shows projections for temperatures, rainfall, sea levels and
other ecosystem effects over the rest of the current century.
(Click through the slides below to see a presentation of the
major points.) The economic challenges predicted by the report
go beyond agriculture and food production, which will obviously
encounter some of the greatest disruptions from climate change.
Heat-related illnesses and deaths may strain the medical system
and labor market. Heavy downpours, storm surges, sea-level
rises, more hurricanes in some parts of the country and more
wildfires in other parts are expected to disrupt nearly all
forms of transport, including airports, roads, rail lines and
tunnels, according to the report. “While it is widely recognized
that emissions from transportation have