Marketplace All-in-One From "How We Survive": The climate crisis is an economic crisis
Sep 29, 2025
Elizabeth Kolbert, a Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer and New Yorker staff writer, joins the conversation to discuss the intertwining of climate change and economic crises. She highlights alarming trends, like rising disaster costs and home value corrections linked to climate risks. Kolbert explores the moral challenges of society's continued emissions and emphasizes hopeful solutions, including advancements in renewable energy. Her forthcoming book promises insights into the natural world and the urgent need for climate action.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Climate Crisis Is A Massive Economic Threat
- Climate impacts already cost the global economy massively and will grow if emissions continue.
- Transitioning to clean energy is far cheaper long-term than inaction, per cited studies.
Disasters Raise Costs Nationwide
- Climate-driven disasters are becoming more frequent and expensive across the U.S.
- Average annual U.S. climate disaster costs have been about $150 billion over the last decade.
Near Miss Shifted A Family's Plans
- Kai described a wildfire that stopped 1.8 miles from his house and how it changed his family's plans.
- The event made them seriously consider moving because the threat concentrated the mind.
