Insurance Companies Know "Global Climate Change" Is Real

Corporations, and their lackeys in Congress (the Republicans). have been denying the reality of global climate change (commonly called global warming) since it was first revealed by scientists. Although over 95% of credible scientists are convinced that the earth is getting warmer and much of it (if not all of it) has been caused by the actions of humans, the Republicans (spurred on by corporate interests) are still trying to say it has not been proven or that it is just "junk science".

Of course the Republican and corporate position is ludicrous. But it is easy to understand why they are doing what they are doing. It's because much of the global climate change has been caused by the corporations themselves -- and no solution is possible that doesn't require the polluting corporations to clean up their act. And they don't want to have to pay for cleaning up their own pollution.

But there is emerging a group of corporations that do believe in global climate change -- the insurance companies. They have finally been brought to the truth about global climate change because they are now having to pay for the destruction that it brings. They have started to realize that the earth's warming has caused much more severe weather, and resulted in more damage meaning more insurance payouts must be made. Recently, the Reinsurance Association of America, Swiss Re, Willis Re, and Ceresheld a press conference with Senators Sanders I-Vermont) and Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island). Here is some of what they had to say.

Franklin Nutter, Reinsurance Association of America president:

From our industry’s perspective, the footprints of climate change are around us and the trend of increasing damage to property and threat to lives is clear. We need a national policy related to climate and weather.

Mark Way, speaking for Swiss Re's American division:

As a member of the global insurance industry, we have witnessed the increased impact of weather-related events on our industry and around the world. A warming climate will only add to this trend of increasing losses, which is why action is needed now.

Pete Thomas, chief risk officer at Willis Re:

Extreme weather is a threat today and a greater threat tomorrow. I’m pleased to see the federal government grappling with this issue. The continuing work of Sens. Sanders and Whitehouse is an important start for this necessary dialogue.

Cynthia McHale, insurance program director at Ceres:

Our climate is changing, human activity is helping to drive the change, and the costs of these extreme weather events are going to keep ballooning unless we break through our political paralysis, and bring down emissions that are warming our planet. If we continue on this path, extreme weather is certain to cause more homes and businesses to be uninsurable in the private insurance market, leaving the costs to taxpayers or individuals.