Bozeman, MT—Next week, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and Montana State University’s Big Sky Institute will host the second lecture in a four-part series about climate change. Ernie Niemi, one of the nation’s leading experts on climate change economics, will visit Bozeman on Thursday, October 29 to discuss how climate change could cost Montanans.
Ernie Niemi, president and senior policy analyst at ECONorthwest, specializes in applying the principles of cost-benefit analysis, economic valuation, and economic-impact analysis to natural resources. He calculates the potential economic costs to Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington if nothing is done to address the impacts of climate change, and suggests it could cost $1,200 to $3,400 annually per household by 2020. “A business-as-usual approach to climate change could result in similar costs to Montanans,” he said.
Ray Rasker, Executive Director of Bozeman-based Headwater Economics, says the area is fortunate to have Niemi visit. “His groundbreaking work puts the economic ramifications of climate change into straightforward language.”
Danielle Blank, who works in the National Parks Conservation Association’s Bozeman office, hopes this and the other lectures in this series will spur Montanas to act. “Climate change is already causing Montana to have longer, more intense fire seasons, diminished outdoor recreation opportunities, and new threats to our wildlife and national parks. The sooner we address climate change, the better off all Montanans will be.” Niemi’s message will be particularly timely as the Senate is expected to soon take up debate on a climate bill that could be the country’s first effort to limit greenhouse gases, she said.
This is the second lecture in a four-part series, “Montana’s Changing Climate & You,” organized by the National Parks Conservation Association and Montana State University’s Big Sky Institute, with additional support provided by the Bozeman Public Library, Headwaters Economics, National Wildlife Federation, Montana Audubon, and Montana Conservation Voters.
The presentation is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Bozeman Public Library at 626 East Main Street, in the Community Room. More information is available here.
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