A Costly Drain on the Global Economy

A study, in the journal Science Advances, looked at the post 1980s impact of heatwaves on global economics (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/28/climate-crisis-heatwaves-cost-global-economy). Heatwaves have intensified over this period as a consequence of anthropogenic (human-mediated) 'greenhouse gas' emissions. These heat up the planet. Heatwaves have powerful damaging effects on agriculture, human health, infrastructure and productivity. Although their 'greenhouse gas' emissions are modest, the tropics and the global South are especially prone to damage. This is because these regions are hotter, as well as being economically vulnerable. The study generated a figure of $16tn. This enormous sum may well be an underestimate. It could, however, seem to be 'small beer', if (when?) the full impact of runaway climate change hits the Northern hemisphere. The new UK Prime Minister's decision not to attend Cop27 in Egypt, as he is 'too busy with his Autumn finance statement', seems more than a tad blinkered. He's not even getting his Environment Secretary to attend this meeting. The UK environment presumably operates entirely in isolation? ((https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/30/observer-view-rishi-sunak-shameful-decision-not-to-attend-cop27 ).