Comments on: Hurricanes and Global Warming FAQ http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=3674 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:36:51 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Mark Bahner http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=3674&cpage=1#comment-2473 Mark Bahner Wed, 21 Dec 2005 15:36:22 +0000 http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheusreborn/?p=3674#comment-2473 If it is widely accepted that the big damage from hurricanes is due to societal rather than climate changes, then something can be done. These range from building restrictions to tax policy and an awareness that the insurance costs in high risk areas are being socialized to all of us through insurance rates and government relief costs. Get this perspective in people's heads and actions can be taken." You're ignoring a third possible action. If a system can be developed that will significantly reduce the intensity of hurricanes at landfall, such a system would significantly reduce costs REGARDLESS of whether present and future costs are influenced by societal change or climate change. For example, if a system can be developed that will reduce hurricane intensity at landfall by 2 Saffir-Simpson categories, such a system could be expected to reduce present and future hurricane costs by 90%, compared to not developing such a system. This applies REGARDLESS of whether future costs will be more influenced by societal or climate change. If it is widely accepted that the big damage from hurricanes is due to societal rather than climate changes, then something can be done. These range from building restrictions to tax policy and an awareness that the insurance costs in high risk areas are being socialized to all of us through insurance rates and government relief costs. Get this perspective in people’s heads and actions can be taken.”

You’re ignoring a third possible action. If a system can be developed that will significantly reduce the intensity of hurricanes at landfall, such a system would significantly reduce costs REGARDLESS of whether present and future costs are influenced by societal change or climate change.

For example, if a system can be developed that will reduce hurricane intensity at landfall by 2 Saffir-Simpson categories, such a system could be expected to reduce present and future hurricane costs by 90%, compared to not developing such a system. This applies REGARDLESS of whether future costs will be more influenced by societal or climate change.

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