The idea that addressing climate change is too expensive and will damage the economy has persisted over the years. But this week, a group of economists released a report that busts that myth.
The report, called Accelerating Low-Carbon Development in the World’s Cities, was produced by New Climate Economy, and released Tuesday, September 8. New Climate Economy is a group of economists who came together specifically to explore the costs – and the benefits – of addressing climate change.
The economists’ research found that “investing in public and low emission transport, building efficiency, and waste management in cities could generate savings with a current value of US$17 trillion by 2050,” according to New Climate Economy’s news release.
The kicker? They say, “One way to unlock that savings is to promote bikes and buses,” according to yesterday’s Wired magazine article that details the report.
And, as Wired says, “The key is for city leaders to consider things like cycling infrastructure and bus rapid transit not a burden, but an opportunity.”
Here at vivaNext, we couldn’t agree more.
Read the Wired article, the report, and the news release.
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