Climate change poses significant risks to businesses. Increasing greenhouse gases from human activity are causing global temperatures to rise faster than ecosystems and societies can adapt to. The majority of climate scientists agree that climate change trends are extremely likely due to human activities. If greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current rate, the economic costs of climate change are projected to increase substantially by 2050 due to risks like rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, water shortages, and decreased agricultural production. However, setting ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets aligned with scientific recommendations could help save businesses up to $190 billion annually by 2020 through energy efficiency and renewable energy.

1. CLIMATE CHΔNGE
A primer for business

2. Sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere where some bounces into space and
some is absorbed by greenhouse gas (GHG) molecules and
re-radiated towards Earth, warming the average global temperature
Increasing GHGs from human activity are causing
change in this system too quickly
Source: NASA

3. 1900 2014
10 of the last 15 years have been the warmest since records began in 1880
Source: NASA/GISS

4. Source: IPCC/PNAS/NASA/GISS
97% of climate scientists agree that climate trends are
“extremely likely” due to human activitiesGlobalSurfaceTemperatures

5. Cumulative greenhouse gas levels are at historic highs and continue to climb
Roughly 62% of US emissions come from the corporate sector
Source: NOAA/WWF/CDP/McKinsey

6. The Arctic polar ice cap is
dissolving before our eyes,
changing seasonal weather
patterns around the globe.
The National Climate
Assessment shows Alaska has
already warmed twice as fast
as the rest of the nation.
Arctic summer sea ice is
receding faster than
previously projected and is
expected to virtually
disappear before mid-century.
© Florian Shulz
Polar bears on floating ice in Svalbard, Artic Ocean.The Arctic
region plays an important role in regulating and moderating
global climate.

7. Climate change is decreasing
water supplies and
agricultural production in arid
regions.
Snowpack and streamflow
levels are in declining in parts
of the region decreasing water
reliability for residents,
commercial use, and
ecosystems. Droughts also
increase the likelihood of
wildfires.
© Audra Melton
Russia’s 2010 heat wave resulted in economic losses estimated at
$15 billion USD as drought and wildfires destroyed crops,
particularly wheat

8. Our oceans absorb most of
the warming causing both
expansion and sea-level rise
while additional CO2 increases
ocean acidity.
These factors cause bleaching
of coral reefs and driving
stronger storms. More acidic
oceans also threaten shelled
organisms fundamental to the
marine food chain.
© Global Warming Images / WWF-Canon
Coral bleaching in the Red Sea off Egypt shows a stressed and
failing ecosystem that can’t support aquatic life that fisheries
and industries rely on

9. People in cities and towns
across the US are facing more
extreme weather linked to
climate change.
Heat waves, heavy
downpours, wildfires, floods
and droughts. In various
regions of the country, these
events are all growing in
frequency or intensity or both,
creating human suffering and
costing taxpayers billions of
dollars.
© New Jersey Governor's Office/Tim Larsen
Economic devastation from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 were
estimated by NOAA at roughly $50 billion USD

10. Between $66 billion and
$106 billion worth of
existing coastal property
will likely be below sea
level nationwide
2-3 times the average
annual number of 95+°F
days we've seen over the
past 30 years
Bread basket states risk up
to a 50% to 70% loss in
average annual crop yields
(corn, soy, cotton, and
wheat)
Early estimates of American economic risks by 2050 require action
Source: Risky Business Report (2014)

11. Setting GHG targets aligned
with science-based
methodologies such as
The 3% Solution provide a
pathway for corporate
America to save up to $190
Billion in 2020.
Energy efficiency tied with
strong renewable energy
targets can help meet both
climate and bottom line
corporate earnings goals.
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