Fighting climate change comes with economic benefits. Learn more here.

As greenhouse gas emissions surround the Earth, they trap the sun’s heat. Because of this, the planet is warming up, and the climate is changing, according to experts.

The world is now warming faster than at any point in recorded history. Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns. This poses many risks to all forms of life, according to the United Nations Climate Action. 

Here are some benefits of fighting climate change from various sources, including Yale Climate Connections.

The benefits of fighting climate change

• Cleaner air leads to fewer pollution-related illnesses, which means less money spent on medical treatments and fewer hospital admissions.
• Reducing emissions helps prevent crop losses, which can save billions of dollars annually and enhance food security.
• Transitioning to clean energy means investment in building new infrastructure like solar, wind farms, and manufacturing clean vehicles, creating demand for skilled jobs like engineers, electricians, and construction workers.
• In most parts of the world, new renewable energy projects are already the most affordable source of power.
• Energy efficiency upgrades in homes and buildings can lead to substantial reductions in energy bills for households.
• Investing in clean energy can decouple economies from the volatile price swings and geopolitical shocks of the global fossil fuel market.

Here are some ways climate change impacts daily life from various sources, including the Environmental Defense Fund.

• Higher grocery prices due to crop failures.
• Increased energy bills from heatwaves.
• Infrastructure damage from floods.
• Health risks include heat stress and respiratory issues.

Inaction on climate change exposes economies to massive costs from extreme weather events, infrastructure damage, and agricultural losses, according to the World Resources Institute. The global economic benefits from avoided damages and short-term improvements could increase globally by up to 3% by 2050.

By reducing emissions, climate action lessens the frequency and intensity of these costly disruptions.

Taking climate action in the United States can save at least $4 billion by the end of the century on road maintenance alone, according to Yale Climate Connections. 

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Partners.

Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.