Climate change to wipe away $1.5 trillion in U.S. home values, study says

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🗞️ Driving the news: A new study by climate-research firm First Street predicts that climate change will wipe out $1.47 trillion in U.S. home values by 2055
• Rising insurance costs and homeowners avoiding high-risk areas are key factors driving this decline
• The hardest-hit regions include parts of California and New Jersey, where property values are already under pressure

🔭 The context: Climate-related disasters, such as wildfires and hurricanes, are becoming more frequent and severe, leading insurers to raise premiums or pull out of high-risk areas
• Homeowners struggling with insurance and property tax affordability may be forced to relocate
• This trend is expected to reshape real estate markets in vulnerable coastal and wildfire-prone communities

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The financial burden of climate risks is growing, highlighting the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation measures
• Home devaluation in at-risk areas could trigger economic instability and deepen housing crises
• Insurance market volatility may also leave many homeowners unprotected against future disasters

⏭️ What's next: Experts warn that as climate risks intensify, more regions may see property values plummet
• Policymakers and insurers face increasing pressure to develop solutions, such as stricter building codes and improved disaster resilience strategies
• Some homeowners may start relocating to safer areas, accelerating demographic and economic shifts

💬 One quote: “Rising home-insurance costs and more homeowners spurning some risky neighborhoods will drive these declines.” – First Street study

📈 One stat: $1.47 trillion in projected U.S. home value losses by 2055 due to climate change

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