Invest in addressing causes of climate change, not bailouts

Final figures aren't available, but Lee County asserts that Hurricane Ian destroyed about 5,000 homes and severely damaged 13,000. The Category 4 hurricane also targeted other counties, states and countries.

Reportedly, 127 people in Florida died because of Ian. Those losses can't be calculated when considering financial costs.

Those who died, like hurricane victims before and to come, will be forgotten by most of us before the home, business and infrastructure repairs are completed. Do we remember how many, for example, died during Hurricane Maria?

In terms of money, we're all going to pay. Insurance companies promise increased prices next year.

Taxpayer-funded costs for the Federal Emergency Management Agency include more than $500 million for homeowners and more than $300 million for the state. Although Florida's governor and senators have continually voted against giving aid to other storm victims and states, Floridians benefit from the foresight of other politicians.

That foresight, though, does not extend to mitigation to reduce severe hurricanes. Instead of looking at causes of extreme weather events, we pick up the tab for expenses.

When will we invest in our future? When will we stop funding our mistakes?

Near Fort Myers, Babcock Ranch was built to weather storms. Thirty miles inland, the Ranch avoided the storm surge that swept over other communities during Ian.

Residents purposefully decided to build this hurricane-hardened community in an area appropriately distanced from shore, lowering their chances of suffering from hurricanes. Babcock Ranch's solar field, run by Florida Power and Light, generates enough power for 33,000 homes. The 5,000 homes at the Ranch send their excess power to the grid, used in other nearby communities. During Ian, their homes never lost power although winds reached 100 mph.

Babcock Ranch raises some difficult questions. How many times should a house be rebuilt on property devastated by wind or flooded by storm surge?

How many times should FEMA provide assistance to those who rebuild in the same spot? In a time when voters are aghast that student loans might be paid off, they seemingly have no qualms about helping millionaires, luxury condos and hotels with oceanfront property rebuild.

FEMA may well say no to repeated financial help.

When should an insurance agency refuse to write a policy for someone building in a high-risk area? When we are told our insurance rates will increase, we are subsidizing those who choose to live in high-risk areas.

All of us may need a bailout once. Perhaps a home should not be insured when its damages increase others' bills.

What are options to rebuilding on land called home? One possibility would be to have the government buy the property. As a child, my home and property were purchased by the government to install a dam, one that would protect property two states south of us.

I realize the distress of moving. But the reality of extreme weather events could be reason for the government to invest in unbuildable property.

Instead of investing in bailouts, we need to address the causes of climate change.

Susan Nugent is a Climate Reality Project leader from Gainesville.

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Susan Nugent

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