Delete the data makes no sense

I can understand Trump not wanting to take action on climate change. After all, he values economic activity today more than reduced greenhouse gasses and a less polluted environment in the future.

What I cannot understand is the rationale for not studying climate change or even worse, deleting data that has already been collected. It makes no sense. Failure to study possible future scenarios doesn’t make them less likely to occur. It simply makes us less prepared for the future, less able to manage risk, and more vulnerable to consequences that might have been prevented.

Business is about managing risk. Every business decision has possible negative and positive outcomes. The goal of business is to understand those outcomes and to take steps to minimize the chance of negative outcomes and maximize the chance of positive outcomes.

The Republican party is supposedly pro-business, and managing risk is important for business.  Consequently, I can not understand Trump’s policy on climate change. His “head in the ground” approach toward climate change makes it impossible for business to understand and manage the risks from climate change.

Let’s look at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. If climate change is real, Florida may be affected by more frequent hurricanes and floods. Eventually, his resort might literally be under water. Information about climate change can only help his businesses prepare for the future. Yet, this information is exactly what he doesn’t want.

It makes no sense.

I just don’t get it.

To get more information on climate change, check out Global Warming or see The Climate Reality Project.

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