According to a recent study the cost of a meltdown in the arctic could cost 2.4 trillion dollars. According to the study the arctic is currently warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world and its impact on the rest of the world could be catastrophic.
Big numbers, but lets put that in perspective, the US government budget deficit for 2009 is $1.4 trillion, and the debt that contributes to is staggering.
People will more or less willingly adapt to actual changes, they aren't prepared to adapt to "possible" changes without a fight, especially if there is
any evidence they are being scammed. Just like there is no point inventing a cart hoping someone will invent a wheel, people aren't willing to freeze in the dark in mud huts, or pay exorbitant sums to fix something not proven to be broken if and until they have to. But just the same, it would be wise to not build on a flood plain or fault line, or river deltas in areas of geologic instability, like Vancouver. That would be sage advise at any time, but people still do it.
