Over the past year the issue of climate change has gotten a lot of attention in the press. The UN summit on climate change failed in many regards but did succeed in raising awareness. Many people are aware of some of the difficulties presented by this issue. The potential effects of climate change and global warming have been widely discussed and debated over the last few months. Reports of rising sea, levels, cyclones, floods, and droughts have brought apocalyptic visions to many around the world, and even spawned a few thrillers on the silver screen. However, some people may be overlooking some of the ways in which climate change could change our lives, starting with the home in which we live.
A recent report claims that households will face steep rises in the cost of their home owner insurance as global warming increases the chances of flooding and storms. In fact, some homeowners may face such a high risk of flooding that insurance companies will simply turn them away. The report, which was carried out by the Association of British Insurers, claims that temperature rises of only four degrees Celsius could cause insurance premiums to skyrocket. This small rise in temperature could lead to a fourteen percent rise in losses from river flooding and flash floods. This would translate to over six hundred million pounds in additional claims.
Climate change is an issue that will certainly have wide reaching effects into many parts of our day to day lives which have not yet been considered.
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