Climate change has become yet another scary and often hopeless-seeming conversation. Yet it’s one employers and employees should be prioritizing, as businesses can have an outsize effect on policies and practices that both help — and hurt — the environment.
No matter the industry or individual, the effects of climate change are expected to have an impact: Damage from natural disasters, for example, is expected to cost businesses $1 billion annually, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. Additionally, employees stand to lose nearly $25,000 in wages due to extreme weather and the associated health risks, according to consulting firm ICF and Consumer Reports. Higher taxes, higher climate-related healthcare costs and increased business and operating expenses will also impact the bottom line.
