Wasatch Hollow Preserve still needs more than $600,000 for flood repairs. What other costly repairs are needed after spring flooding? With our state and local dollars being consumed by infrastructure repair, what projects will remain undone due to lack of funds?
Even more devastating climate disasters — think Vermont flooding and western drought and wildfires — are draining our federal tax resources. The total cost of U.S. billion-dollar disasters (2017-2021) is $742.1 billion, with a 5-year annual average of $148.4 billion, both of which are new records and nearly triple the 42-year inflation adjusted annual average cost. These are tax dollars that can’t be used for other essential purposes; thus, taxes inevitably increase and/or services decline.
What are the day-to-day costs of climate change for you and me? First, we installed a whole house attic fan, then ceiling fans and finally, after decades of living without air conditioning, we installed AC; thus, our electric bill increased. Solar panels were the next addition. After converting grass to xeriscape, water rates increased so it costs more to water our garden and small yard. The extended season for outdoor watering and indoor AC has added to expenses.
Tragically, the cost in Arizona’s Maricopa County is 39 heat-associated deaths ... so far this year.
While it is essential to mitigate the damage caused by more frequent extreme weather events, Congress needs to address the sources of human-caused climate disasters and put a price on carbon. Check out the policies of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby that are designed to tackle the problem: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/.
Jean M. Lown, Logan