Climate Conversations with Club Members

Like other members of For our Grandchildren, I am always ready to discuss the subject of climate change. When I mentioned to a friend at my squash club that climate change had lead to increases in household insurance premiums, he responded that insurance companies will use any excuse to jack up premiums. My friend did not go as far as Lawrence Solomon who claims The insurance industry has been behind the global-warming fraud since the 1970s.

I decided to see what an internet search on the subject of climate change and increases in insurance premiums would turn up.  Here are some sample results:

Canada: Canadians renewing their home insurance are likely to find their premiums have risen sharply from last year, and the Insurance Bureau of Canada says the main culprit is climate change.

The United Kingdom:  Nick Starling, the Association of British Insurers director of general insurance and health, went further.  He said: “The continued widespread availability of property insurance in the future depends on taking action now to manage the threats of climate change.” Richard Ward, CEO of Lloyd’s of London, warned last month that premiums will have to rise significantly because of the increasing frequency of weather-related disasters.

The United States:   Francesca Rheannon, writing for Reuters, concluded:  “As catastrophic weather events continue to become more common and more severe due to climate change, the insurance industry will be sorely tested. 2010 insured losses were estimated at between $18 billion and $37 billion – and indicated “a probable link” to climate change, according to insurance giant, Munich Re. In fact, the industry has named climate change its biggest challenge.”

Judging by my friend’s response, it is going to take a lot more empirical evidence of a connection between climate change and natural disasters to explain to most Canadians why they will be paying more for insurance. The opinions of scientists such as climatologists as to the connection, even though almost unanimous, won’t do it.

A second friend expressed the view that our Conservative Government was justified using the description “ethical” to sell oil to the United States.  This friend, a good Liberal, had never supported the Conservatives in his life.  He did not draw any distinction between tar sand oils, and oil extracted by conventional methods. I should have asked him if he had read Ezra Levant’s book “Ethical Oil”.

I am reluctant to raise the subject of climate change with Club members.  I don’t often find a listener who hasn’t already an opinion, generally contrary to mine, and I don’t want the reputation of being the Club Bore!