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Higher rates may not solve California's property insurance woes

May 6, 2024
With climate change hiking insurer costs, the state may allow catastrophe modeling as a stopgap, says former Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones.
"As climate change  has driven more frequent and severe weather-related events, it's killing people, damaging property and causing more insurance losses," says Dave Jones, a former state insurance commissioner.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Climate change is the focus in shared curriculum for business schools

"We can't really address the problem without engaging business at full scale," says Columbia Business School's Bruce Usher.
The Open Climate Curriculum is a free, shareable resource for educators to teach business students about the climate crisis.
John Moore/Getty Images

Electricity bills could hit your pocketbook even more this summer

Apr 10, 2024
The Energy Information Association expects electricity demand to rise by 4% this summer, anticipating that it’ll be even hotter than last year.
The EIA expects electricity demand to rise by 4% this summer, anticipating that it’ll be even hotter than last year. Many people will likely be running their ACs more to cope with the heat.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Hydropower production took a hit in 2023

Mar 28, 2024
Regions that depend on it are having to look to other sources of energy — which can cost more.
In May 2023, California's Lake Oroville reservoir rose to 100% capacity due to record-setting rains and heavy snowfall. Early, rapid runoff can make it harder to store water and generate hydroelectricity year-round.
George Rose/Getty Images

Rising insurance costs are making homeownership even more expensive

Mar 21, 2024
Climate risk and inflation are making insurance harder to find and mortgages harder to afford.
The main reason for higher home insurance costs is climate change, which is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images

The case for broader investment in climate resilience

Private equity investor Jay Koh says more than 800 companies in the public markets offer solutions that create financial opportunity.
Climate change increases risks we already understand, like wildfires, drought and supply chain disruptions, says Jay Koh of the Lightsmith Group.
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Geothermal energy could be on its way to Chicago’s South Side

Mar 19, 2024
The key to building out the low-carbon energy source could be the city’s trademark alleys.
Retta Ford, left, and daughter Debra Gay attend a community meeting about geothermal power. Ford asked whether the project could affect the foundations of homes.
Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco/WBEZ

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Skijoring brings cowboys and skiers to Western towns, but warm weather leaves the sport in flux

Mar 7, 2024
Many small towns across the Rocky Mountain West depend on the sport for an economic boost during an otherwise slow winter, but this year it's been tricky with unseasonably warm temperatures.
A cowboy and his horse pull a skier off a jump on the Pinedale skijoring course. The fastest time wins.
Caitlin Tan/Wyoming Public Radio

SEC adopts rule making companies disclose climate risks

Mar 7, 2024
The rules are softer than those initially proposed.
New SEC rules are intended to standardize reporting requirements on things like emissions and exposure to climate change-related disasters.
Giles Clarke/Getty Images

Warm winter forces some businesses and events to get creative

Mar 6, 2024
Parts of the Upper Midwest and Northeast were especially warm from December through February. These are areas of the country that rely on snow and cold to attract tourists and their dollars to ski resorts, ice rinks and snowmobile trails.
Water sits on the surface of the Millennium Park ice rink during an unusually warm winter day in Chicago last month.
Scott Olson/Getty Images