Amid an ESG backlash in some states, the finding could lead to more governments seeking an ESG-related label for bonds that will fund socially or environmentally sustainable projects.
The devastating wildfires in Maui, which has so far claimed the lives of at least 110 people, are just the latest in a series of storms made worse by global warming. On Sunday, Gov. Josh Green, appearing on CBS News’ “Face The Nation,” acknowledged there were critical errors by both local officials and private companies regarding the disaster that contributed to the rising death count. But he added that those mistakes were aggravated by climate change, which created conditions for the wildfire to spread rapidly and behave erratically.
“There’s no excuses ever to be made,” he said, “but there are finite resources sometimes in the moment.”
There’s no question Hawaii faces a long and expensive rebuilding process that will most likely include investing in its emergency warning systems and reservoir water diversion projects to better respond to future wildfires. But new research shows that projects like these may at least cost a little less to finance than they did before.
Route Fifty
by Liz Farmer
AUGUST 23, 2023