Text Version of Climate Action Benefits: National Highlights Table
| In the year 2050, global GHG mitigation is projected to result in... | In the year 2100, global GHG mitigation is projected to result in... | |
|---|---|---|
| Health | ||
| Air Quality | An estimated 13,000 fewer deaths from poor air quality, valued at $160 billion.* | An estimated 57,000 fewer deaths from poor air quality, valued at $930 billion.* |
| Extreme Temperature | An estimated 1,700 fewer deaths from extreme heat and cold in 49 major U.S. cities, valued at $21 billion. | An estimated 12,000 fewer deaths from extreme heat and cold in 49 major U.S. cities, valued at $200 billion. |
| Labor | An estimated avoided loss of 360 million labor hours, valued at $18 billion. | An estimated avoided loss of 1.2 billion labor hours, valued at $110 billion. |
| Water Quality | An estimated $507-$700 million in avoided damages from poor water quality.† | An estimated $2.6-$3.0 billion in avoided damages from poor water quality.† |
| Infrastructure | ||
| Bridges | An estimated 160-960 fewer bridges made structurally vulnerable, valued at $0.12-$1.5 billion.† | An estimated 720-2,200 fewer bridges made structurally vulnerable, valued at $1.1-$1.6 billion.† |
| Roads | An estimated $0.56-$2.3 billion in avoided adaptation costs.† | An estimated $4.2-$7.4 billion in avoided adaptation costs.† |
| Urban Drainage | An estimated $56 million to $2.9 billion in avoided adaptation costs from the 50-year, 24-hour storm in 50 U.S. cities.† | An estimated $50 million to $6.4 billion in avoided adaptation costs from the 50-year, 24-hour storm in 50 U.S. cities.† |
| Coastal Property | An estimated $0.14 billion in avoided damages and adaptation costs from sea level rise and storm surge. | An estimated $3.1 billion in avoided damages and adaptation costs from sea level rise and storm surge. |
| Electricity | ||
| Demand and Supply | An estimated 1.1%-4.0% reduction in energy demand and $10-$34 billion in savings in power system costs.‡ | Not estimated. |
| Water Resources | ||
| Inland Flooding | An estimated change in flooding damages ranging from $260 million in damages to $230 million in avoided damages.† | An estimated change in flooding damages ranging from $32 million in damages to $2.5 billion in avoided damages.† |
| Drought | An estimated 29%-45% fewer severe and extreme droughts, with corresponding avoided damages to the agriculture sector of approximately $1.2-$1.4 billion.† | An estimated 40%-59% fewer severe and extreme droughts, with corresponding avoided damages to the agriculture sector of $2.6-$3.1 billion.† |
| Water Supply and Demand | An estimated $3.9-$54 billion in avoided damages due to water shortages.† | An estimated $11-$180 billion in avoided damages due to water shortages.† |
| Agriculture and Forestry | ||
| Agriculture | An estimated $1.5-$3.8 billion in avoided damages. | An estimated $6.6-$11 billion in avoided damages. |
| Forestry | Estimated damages of $9.5-$9.6 billion. | An estimated $520 million to $1.5 billion in avoided damages. |
| Ecosystems | ||
| Coral Reefs | An estimated avoided loss of 53% of coral in Hawaii, 3.7% in Florida, and 2.8% in Puerto Rico. These avoided losses are valued at $1.4 billion. | An estimated avoided loss of 35% of coral in Hawaii, 1.2% in Florida, and 1.7% in Puerto Rico. These avoided losses are valued at $1.2 billion. |
| Shellfish | An estimated avoided loss of 11% of the U.S. oyster supply, 12% of the U.S. scallop supply, and 4.6% of the U.S. clam supply, with corresponding consumer benefits of $85 million. | An estimated avoided loss of 34% of the U.S. oyster supply, 37% of the U.S. scallop supply, and 29% of the U.S. clam supply, with corresponding consumer benefits of $380 million. |
| Freshwater Fish | An estimated change in recreational fishing ranging from $13 million in avoided damages to $3.8 million in damages.† | An estimated $95-$280 million in avoided damages associated with recreational fishing.† |
| Wildfire | An estimated 2.1-2.2 million fewer acres burned and corresponding avoided wildfire response costs of $160-$390 million.† | An estimated 6.0-7.9 million fewer acres burned and corresponding avoided wildfire response costs of $940 million to $1.4 billion.† |
| Carbon Storage | An estimated 26-78 million fewer metric tons of carbon stored, and corresponding costs of $7.5-$23 billion.† | An estimated 1-26 million fewer metric tons of carbon stored, and corresponding costs of $880 million to $12 billion.† |
* These results do not reflect the additional benefits to air quality and human health that would stem from the co-control of traditional air pollutants along with GHG emissions.
† For sectors sensitive to changes in precipitation, the estimated range of results is generated using projections from two climate models showing different patterns of future precipitation in the contiguous U.S. The IGSM-CAM model projects a relatively “wetter” future for most of the contiguous U.S. compared to the “drier” MIROC model (see the CIRA Framework section of this report for more information).
‡ Estimated range of benefits from the reduction in demand and system costs resulting from lower temperatures associated with GHG mitigation. The Electricity section in this report presents an analysis that includes the costs to the electric sector of reducing GHG emissions.