ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson acknowledged that burning of fossil fuels is warming the planet, but said society will be able to adapt.
Tillerson, in a break with predecessor Lee Raymond, has acknowledged that global temperatures are rising. "Clearly there is going to be an impact." He said that people would be able to adapt to rising sea levels and changing climates that may force agricultural production to shift.
The problem? Agriculture is an important sector of the U.S. economy. In addition to providing us with much of our food, the crops, livestock, and seafood that are grown, raised, and caught in the United States contribute at least $200 billion to the economy each year.
Changes in the frequency and severity of droughts and floods could pose challenges for farmers and ranchers. Meanwhile, warmer water temperatures are likely to cause the habitat ranges of many fish and shellfish species to shift, which could disrupt ecosystems. Overall, climate change could make it more difficult to grow crops, raise animals, and catch fish in the same ways and same places as we have done in the past. For example, heat waves, which are projected to increase under climate change, could directly threaten livestock.
Sea levels worldwide are expected to rise as global warming melts ice and causes water to expand, threatening coastal areas and cities.
Research suggests that adapting to climate change could be far more expensive than reducing emissions now.
So, should we try and fix the problem now by enacting tougher laws that require 'greener' building and/or real estate development or just keep doing what we're doing and "adapt?"
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