Home insurance premiums surge as climate disasters intensify

Americans living in high-risk areas are facing soaring home insurance costs due to increasing floods, storms and wildfires driven by the climate crisis.

Oliver Milman reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Insurance premiums in counties most vulnerable to climate disasters rose 22% from 2020 to 2023, compared to a 13% overall average increase.
Florida faces some of the steepest hikes, with average annual home insurance costs surpassing $11,000 due to repeated storms and insurer exits.
Many homeowners lack flood insurance, leaving them exposed to massive financial losses after disasters like hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Key quote:

“This has been the canary in the climate coalmine, and it’s now hitting households’ pocketbooks.”

— Ben Keys, economist at the Wharton School and co-author of the research

Why this matters:

Climate-driven disasters are straining the insurance market, making coverage unaffordable or unavailable for many. Rising premiums threaten homeownership, especially in vulnerable regions like Florida, where insurers are abandoning the market, exposing more people to financial peril.

www.theguardian.com

Home insurance premiums surge as climate disasters intensify

New US dietary guidelines worsen carbon emissions

Vet student teaches youth how climate change impacts wildlife and human health

Driving sustainability in dentistry

Sustainability can drive innovation and competitiveness in healthcare

Montana snowpack rapidly melted in May

COP31 leaders unveil global targets, with spotlight on electrification

Heatwaves are killing tens of thousands in India. Officials are barely counting them

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.