Climate change is making more and more of the nation uninsurable

The Bottom Line from NC Newsline

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: An aerial view of a fire truck (LOWER L) near homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds continue to burn across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved. According to reports, 24 people have died with over 180,000 people under evacuation order or warning. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged, while more than 35,000 acres have burned. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

For those Americans (like President Trump) who cling desperately to the notion that climate change is a hoax concocted by tree-hugging liberals bent on controlling everyone else’s life, the nation’s insurance industry is delivering a message.

As Alex Brown reported for NC Newsline last week, more and more states are being forced to establish and expand public funds to insure homes located in areas the private insurance industry will no longer cover because of risks resulting from climate change. North Carolina has one of the biggest.

As Prof. Lori Medders of Appalachian State told Brown, the spike in natural disasters is creating a “vicious cycle” in which private insurers cover fewer and fewer homes.

Meanwhile, Doug Heller of the Consumer Federation of America put it this way: quote, “The private sector approach to property insurance is starting to crack under the weight of climate change….”

The bottom line: If they won’t listen to environmental advocates, one can only pray that Trump and his allies will be moved by plain talk on the subject they seem to care most about – money.

For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.