Significant Economic Benefits of mRNA Cancer Vaccines Currently Under Development
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In August 2025, the United States announced a $500 million cut in funding for vaccine development, jeopardizing the potential advantages of mRNA cancer vaccine research. According to Alison Galvani from Yale University and colleagues, this reduction poses significant risks to future developments.
The team’s analysis indicates that the treatment advancements observed in current clinical trials could prevent nearly 50,000 deaths, translating to an economic value of $75 billion. “This estimate is based on just one annual cohort of patients for each cancer type,” stated the researchers.
Experts caution that diminishing federal investment in mRNA vaccine technology risks undermining these crucial benefits.
Recent research highlights that many of the most effective cancer treatments leverage the body’s immune response to combat tumors. mRNA vaccines can specifically activate the immune system to identify proteins unique to cancer cells, offering a tailored approach to cancer treatment.
To evaluate the potential impact of these vaccines, Galvani and her team analyzed 32 ongoing mRNA cancer vaccine clinical trials in the U.S. They identified the top 11 promising trials and estimated the additional years of life these treatments could provide if widely administered to eligible patients within a year.
Furthermore, the researchers calculated the annual value of an additional year of life, utilizing statistical measures regarding how much individuals would pay for such benefits. They applied values established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assess the implications of potential regulatory shifts.
Although the annual estimates may be optimistic—given that some vaccine candidates may not gain approval—Oliver Watson from Imperial College London employed a similar framework, estimating that COVID-19 vaccines have yielded global health and economic benefits ranging from $5 trillion to $38 trillion.
If researchers evaluated the cumulative value of multiple cohorts receiving cancer treatments and extended their analysis over a longer time frame, the potential benefits would be substantially greater. “These estimates are undoubtedly conservative,” Watson notes.
“Minor adjustments can lead to significant improvements in energy conservation and warmth,” said Sarah Pennells, a consumer finance expert at Royal London.
Firstly, if your boiler or thermostat is equipped with a timer, make use of it.
For enhanced control, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat that connects to the internet. This option lets you manage your thermostat remotely, typically through a mobile app, enabling you to turn the heating on or off when plans change unexpectedly. A smart thermostat acts like a timer for your boiler, allowing you to use the app for scheduling heating and hot water.
Smart thermostats come in various models and offer features like multi-room control, hot water management, and “geofencing” that tracks your presence in and out of the home. Their prices usually range from £60 to £250 depending on the brand.
Upgrading to a smart thermostat Allows remote control, generally via a mobile app. Photo: Stefan Nikolic/Getty Images
Bosch Room Thermostat II (£69.99); and Hive Thermostat V4 (£155 B&Q) requires a professional installation, which can typically be arranged through a retailer, though additional fees may apply.
Some energy suppliers offer discounts on smart thermostats from their partnered brands. The Octopus Energy and tado° partnership gives customers up to 50% off on tado° products. The Wireless Smart Thermostat X Starter Kit has been marked down from £159.99 to £112.
<h2 id="reduce-temperatures" class="dcr-n4qeq9"><strong>Reduce the Temperature</strong></h2>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">Research indicates that decreasing the thermostat setting from 22°C to 21°C may save the typical UK household £90 annually.<a href="https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/take-control-your-heating-home/?_gl=1*boqspv*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTQ2OTcwMDExNy4xNzYyMjcwMDYy*_ga_GPYNXFLD7G*czE3NjIyNzAwNjAkbzEkZzEkdDE3NjIyNzA0NzY KajYwJGwwJGgw#jumpto-1" data-link-name="in body link"> Energy Saving Trust</a>. For most, a comfortable indoor temperature lies between 18°C and 21°C.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">According to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDZNODZ5qyY" data-link-name="in body link">Citizen Advice</a>, lowering your thermostat can mean saving about 10% on energy bills. However, those who are elderly or have health concerns are advised not to set the temperature below 21°C.</p>
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<span class="dcr-1qvd3m6">Most people find a comfortable indoor temperature between 18°C and 21°C.</span> Photo: Rid Franz/Getty Images
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<p class="dcr-130mj7b">Moreover, experts suggest that maintaining a continuous lower temperature consumes more energy than heating intermittently at a slightly higher setting.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">Setting your heating to switch off 30 minutes before leaving the house or turning in for the night can further decrease your electricity costs.</p>
<h2 id="lower-the-flow" class="dcr-n4qeq9"><strong>Reduce Flow Rate</strong></h2>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">If using a combi boiler, you can lower the temperature of the flow, which is the water temperature entering the radiator.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">For those using a system boiler or hot water cylinder, <a href="https://www.edfenergy.com/energywise/lower-flow-temperature-on-combi-boiler" data-link-name="in body link">EDF Energy advises</a> seeking assistance from an engineer for guidance.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">Typically, boilers have a high flow temperature around 75-80°C. Reducing this to about 60°C might cut your gas bills without noticeably affecting comfort levels.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">“This approach is particularly beneficial in homes with well-sized radiators and adequate insulation, showing no significant change in comfort,” notes Pennells.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">The charity Nesta provides an online and interactive <a href="https://www.moneysavingboilerchallenge.com/" data-link-name="in body link">tool</a> to help users adjust their boiler settings. They recommend documenting the boiler's original controls and settings with photos before making changes.</p>
<h2 id="turn-down-radiators" class="dcr-n4qeq9"><strong>Adjust Radiators</strong></h2>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">If your radiators have a dial controlled by a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV), you can set the temperature individually for each room. TRVs generally have a scale from 0 to 6, with 0 being off and 6 being fully open.</p>
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<blockquote class="dcr-zzndwp">Research shows that people have begun to heat individuals rather than entire spaces.</blockquote>
<footer><cite>Sophie Barr of National Energy Action</cite></footer>
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<p class="dcr-130mj7b">The Energy Saving Trust recommends setting your room on the lowest temperature that maintains comfort. You can set 3 or 4 in frequently used rooms and reduce this to 2 or 3 in less-used spaces. They also mention that integrating a TRV into an existing system with a programmer and thermostat could save households around £35 each year.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">While turning off heating altogether may seem like a good way to save money, experts warn that this could result in mold and dampness, which could incur greater costs and health risks over time.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">“During the energy crisis, we observed changes in behavior where people started to prioritize heating individuals rather than entire homes,” says project development coordinator Sophie Barr. <a href="https://www.nea.org.uk/get-help/resources/" data-link-name="in body link">National Energy Action</a>. “Our findings indicate that it's more cost-effective to provide heat to the entire area by adjusting radiators in unused rooms to setting 2, thus providing sufficient warmth to deter mold spores that can lead to serious respiratory health issues.”</p>
<h2 id="get-reflectors" class="dcr-n4qeq9"><strong>Install Reflectors</strong></h2>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">The <a href="https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/" data-link-name="in body link">British Gas Energy Trust</a> suggests placing foil behind radiators to reflect heat back into the room. Since approximately 35% of indoor heat escapes through the walls, these reflectors ensure that heat is redirected into the room rather than absorbed by exterior walls, making them particularly effective on uninsulated external walls.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">Though there may be a small initial expense, they are reasonably priced, simple to install, and durable. They can be purchased in rolls and cut to fit your radiators. They are easy to apply with included adhesive or double-sided tape—first ensuring the radiator is turned off and cool. Screwfix offers rolls of 1.88 square meters for <a href="https://www.screwfix.com/p/essentials-470mm-x-4m-radiator-heat-reflector-foil/88629?tc=JS7" data-link-name="in body link">£7.51</a>, while B&Q has a 5 square meter roll for <a href="https://www.diy.com/departments/diall-radiator-reflector-5m-/1906873_BQ.prd?storeId=1037" data-link-name="in body link">£14.97</a>, and Amazon sells a 15 square meter roll for <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CYM442P1?tag=track-ect-uk-2181897-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&ascsubtag=ecSEPr67xojmhks6sn7" data-link-name="in body link">£27.99</a>.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">To enhance efficiency, bleed your radiators every few months. Ensure the radiator is switched off and cool before inserting the key (<a href="https://www.diy.com/departments/rothenberger-radiator-key-pack-of-2/191173_BQ.prd" data-link-name="in body link">£3.50</a> for a B&Q 2-pack) or a flat-head screwdriver into the bleed valve (often located in the top corner) and turn it counterclockwise. Listen for a hissing sound as air escapes; wait for it to stop, showing a steady flow of water (you can catch it with a cloth), then turn the valve clockwise to close it again.</p>
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<span class="dcr-1qvd3m6">Regular boiler servicing enhances efficiency.</span> Photo: Joe Giddens/Pennsylvania
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<p class="dcr-130mj7b">Avoid obstructing radiators with furniture or curtains, especially beneath windows, to distribute heat more evenly throughout the space.</p>
<h2 id="keep-your-boiler-serviced" class="dcr-n4qeq9"><strong>Regular Boiler Maintenance</strong></h2>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">Routine boiler service enhances efficiency and extends lifespan by addressing minor issues. According to Octopus Energy, neglecting boiler maintenance can lead to up to 10% more energy usage compared to those serviced annually. “Failure to regularly maintain your boiler can significantly affect fuel efficiency and health,” warns Barr.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">As per Which?, the average cost for a boiler service ranges from £70 to £110.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">Some energy providers include this service in their annual coverage plans, such as British Gas, which features it in their <a href="https://www.britishgas.co.uk/cover/boiler-and-heating.html" data-link-name="in body link">home care</a> options starting at £19 per month. However, a boiler care plan might not be suitable for every consumer. Which? recommends considering if your monthly contributions may exceed the costs of the annual service or repairs. Ensure you have savings to cover the full service fee as needed.</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">For renters, it is the landlord’s obligation to arrange for annual boiler inspections and certifications. “Annual maintenance is mandatory for all rental properties,” says Barr. "For homes with gas boilers, only a gas safety engineer should perform this work, and an Oftec certified engineer should handle oil boilers. Annual boiler maintenance guarantees that your system operates efficiently and prevents carbon monoxide leaks in your home."</p>
When purchasing an electric vehicle, it’s essential to consider how you will charge it at home.The primary requirements are a charger and a smart meter.
Charger Kit
While you can charge your vehicle using a standard 3-pin plug, it is a slow process. It’s advisable to install a dedicated charger, a specialized AC station that operates at higher speeds and connects to your vehicle through a cable.
Most home chargers provide up to 7.4kW of power, enabling a typical EV to cover 25 to 30 miles for every hour it is charging.
The cost for installing a dedicated home electric car charger ranges from £800 to £1,200. Photo: Andrew Matthews/Pennsylvania
A smart meter is necessary for your energy supplier to monitor your usage throughout the day and apply the appropriate tariffs (see below).
Charging is generally easier for those with driveways or garages compared to the 9.3 million households lacking off-street parking. Some local governments have installed residential charging points on the street, like on lampposts. The government is contemplating the removal of planning permission requirements for installing a crosswalk “gutter” to run the cable from the house to the car.
Tariffs Overview
All major energy providers offer at least one EV tariff, typically allowing drivers to charge their cars at lower rates during specified times of the day.
Long-distance drivers should aim for the lowest overnight rates and the most extended charging periods. Photo: Jonah Images/Alamy
Ben Galizzi from Uswitch highlights various perks available to drivers. “Classic” EV pricing allows charging during cheaper nighttime hours. For instance, British Gas offers rates of 9p/kWh from midnight to 5am. E.ON’s Next Drive has a rate of 7.5p/kWh from 12am to 6am. Scottish Power’s EV Saver charges 7.2p/kWh from midnight to 5am.
Additionally, there are smart rate plans that automatically schedule charging during the cheapest times of day, like when demand is low or renewable energy usage is high. You can program the system to charge your car when rates are lowest. For example, Intelligent Octopus Go charges at 7p/kWh.
Galizzi also notes a new subscription plan. Mr. Octopus’ Intelligent Drive Pack offers unlimited smart charging for £30 monthly. Ovo Energy offers plans starting at £27.50 with a Smart Charge cap of 700 miles per month.
Some EV tariffs may only be available to existing customers. Therefore, to access specific rate plans, you may need to switch to that provider’s standard rate first before opting for an EV tariff.
While assessing your car’s best value, Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert site advises that many “two-tier” rates can fluctuate based on the time of day, offering appealing nighttime rates alongside peak ones that may surpass price caps. For example, the Intelligent Octopus Go can cost around 29p/kWh daily, while the default rate is 26p.
Urban drivers may find smart charging options offer better value, according to experts. Photo: SouthWorks/Alamy
Potential savings could also arise from salary sacrifice schemes, where the cost of home charging is deducted from an eligible person’s gross salary before tax and national insurance. This can include options like the Electric Vehicle System Charge Card.
Selecting the Right Tariff
Choosing the best deal primarily depends on your driving mileage.
Galizzi recommends that long-distance drivers search for the lowest overnight rates and the longest charging durations. “Aim to have your vehicle fully charged every night to be ready for the road in the morning,” he notes. For example, E.ON Next Drive offers rates of 6.5p/kWh between midnight and 6am.
For city drivers, smart charging options might provide better value. “The goal is to find the most cost-effective charging time,” he indicates. Similar offerings are available from Scottish Power, with rates starting at 9p/kWh.
Model of Homo heidelbergensis, potentially a direct ancestor of Homo sapiens.
WHPics / Alamy
A timeline tracking genetic alterations spanning millions of years of human evolution indicates that variants linked to elevated intelligence appeared most rapidly around 500,000 years ago, succeeded by mutations that heighten the risk of mental illness.
The findings point to a “trade-off” between intellect and mental health issues in brain evolution, according to Ilan Libedinsky from the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
“The genetic changes linked to mental disorders clearly involve regions of the genome associated with intelligence, indicating a significant overlap,” says Libedinsky. “[The progress in cognitive abilities] might have made our brains more susceptible to mental health issues.”
Humans branched away from our closest relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, over 5 million years ago, with brain size tripling since then, exhibiting the fastest growth rate in the last 2 million years.
While fossils enable the examination of shifts in brain size and shape, they provide limited insights into the brain’s functional capacities.
Recently, genome-wide association studies have explored the DNA of diverse populations to identify mutations associated with traits like intelligence, brain size, height, and various diseases. Concurrently, other research teams are investigating specific mutation characteristics that imply age, facilitating the estimation of when those variants emerged.
Libedinsky and his team are pioneers in merging these methodologies to form an evolutionary chronology of genetics linked to the human brain.
“There’s no evidence that our ancestors were conscious of their behaviors or mental health issues; we can’t trace them in the paleontological record,” he notes. “We aimed to see if our genome could serve as a kind of ‘time machine’ to uncover this information.”
The research team analyzed the evolutionary roots of 33,000 genetic mutations identified in modern humans, linked to various traits such as brain structure, cognition measures, mental illnesses, and health-related characteristics like eye shape and cancer. While most genetic variations exhibit only a weak tie to traits, Libedinsky emphasizes that “these links offer a valuable starting point but are far from conclusive.”
According to Libedinsky, mutations linked to higher cognitive skills evolved relatively recently compared to other traits. For instance, those associated with fluid intelligence (logical problem-solving in new situations) surfaced on average around 500,000 years ago, about 90,000 years after mutations related to cancer and 300,000 years later than mutations connected to metabolic functions. Following closely were the intelligence-related variants and those related to psychiatric disorders, appearing on average around 475,000 years ago.
This trend initiated approximately 300,000 years ago, continuing with the rise of numerous variants influencing cortical shape (the brain’s outer layer crucial for higher-level cognition). In the last 50,000 years, several variants associated with language have evolved, followed by variants linked to alcoholism and depression.
“Mutations influencing the fundamental structures of the nervous system emerged slightly earlier than those influencing cognition and intelligence, which is logical since a developed brain is necessary for advanced intelligence,” Libedinsky states. “Additionally, it makes sense that intelligence mutations precede mental health disorders, as these capabilities must exist before dysfunction occurs.”
These timelines align with evidence indicating that Homo sapiens obtained certain variants linked to alcohol use and mood disorders through interbreeding with Neanderthals, he added.
It remains uncertain why evolution has not eradicated variants that predispose individuals to mental health issues; however, Libedinsky suggests that their mild effects could be advantageous in certain situations.
“This area of research is thrilling because it enables scientists to revisit enduring questions in human evolution and empirically test hypotheses utilizing actual genomic data,” says Simon Fisher from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Nonetheless, this research can only assess genetic sites that vary among contemporary humans, potentially overlooking ancient, now widely shared changes pivotal to human evolution. Fisher emphasizes that developing tools to probe “fixed” genetic regions could lead to deeper understanding of our unique human characteristics.
Wildfire smoke contributes to tens of thousands of annual deaths, inflicting greater harm on American residents by mid-century than other climate change-related threats, including extreme heat.
This assertion comes from a new research paper that presents extensive modeling of the increasing health impacts of wildfire smoke on public health in the U.S.
The study, published in Nature magazine on Thursday, reveals an average annual contribution of wildfire smoke, leading to over 41,400 excess deaths—more than twice what previous research had suggested.
By mid-century, the study’s authors project an additional increase of 26,500 to 30,000 deaths as human-driven climate change exacerbates wildfire risks.
Marshall Burke, an environmental and social sciences professor at Stanford University and one of the study’s authors, states:
Economically quantified, Burke mentions that their findings surpassed other financial damages associated with climate change identified in previous studies, including agricultural losses, heat-related fatalities, and energy expenses.
Numerous studies indicate that wildfire smoke exposure results in severe health issues. Tiny smoke particles can infiltrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, raising the risk of asthma, lung cancer, and other chronic respiratory conditions. Wildfire smoke is also associated with premature births and miscarriages.
This research paints a stark picture of a country increasingly filled with smoke. Fires in the western U.S. and Canada release smoke into the atmosphere, spreading across regions and undermining decades of efforts to curb industrial air pollution through clean air regulations.
Dr. Joel Kaufman, a professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, commented on the study, noting, “This poses a new threat that can be directly linked to climate change. That’s the crucial point here.”
As the study suggests, wildfire smoke-related deaths could rise by 64% to more than 73%, varying by emission rates.
“Regardless of mitigation efforts, we are likely to experience more smoke by 2050,” Burke added, though emphasizing that emission reduction efforts will have long-term benefits.
Kaufman noted that over the past five to ten years, accumulating evidence indicates that wildfire smoke is at least as detrimental as other forms of air pollution.
“We previously assumed wood burning was less harmful,” Kaufman explained. “These findings indicate that wildfire smoke could be more toxic,” particularly when wildfires consume structures, vehicles, and other human-made materials.
Kaufman highlighted that earlier this year, the Los Angeles fire started from a burning area, but much of it involved homes and plastics, which created “another toxic mixture.” The new research does not differentiate the sources of future wildfire smoke.
The implications of this research could influence public policy.
Dr. John Balmes, a spokesperson for the American Lung Association and a professor at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, expressed that this new study could serve as a “counterargument” against such actions.
The proposal to withdraw these findings is currently undergoing a lengthy regulatory process that is open to public commentary. Balmes mentioned that he referenced the study in a letter opposing the EPA’s proposed changes.
“It reinforces our claims regarding wildfires tied to climate change and their associated public health consequences,” Balmes stated.
The White House did not respond to requests for comments. The EPA stated that the administration is “committed to reducing the risks of catastrophic wildfires,” prioritizing strategies such as prescribed burns, fuel treatment, and debris cleanup to prevent these events.
“The EPA welcomes all public feedback on its proposal to rescind the 2009 danger findings until September 22, 2025, and looks forward to hearing diverse perspectives on this matter,” a spokesperson noted in an email.
In a novel study, researchers estimated the annual excess deaths attributed to wildfire smoke by comparing three models: one that assesses climate change’s impact on fire activity, another predicting changes in fire activity and smoke dispersion, and a third quantifying health outcomes from prolonged smoke exposure.
Researchers used data from 2011-2020 as a baseline to forecast future conditions under various climate scenarios, utilizing datasets that included all U.S. deaths within that period, both satellite and ground-level data on smoke dispersion, and global climate models.
The study assumes that people will take similar protective measures against smoke exposure as they do today.
This study has its limitations, as it primarily relies on a set of models to draw national conclusions. It does not track individual deaths linked to smoke exposure or catalog their health effects.
Results from this study were published alongside another study in Nature that employed a similar methodology and adopted a global perspective. Separate research teams estimate that premature deaths due to wildfire smoke could reach about 1.4 million annually by century’s end—approximately six times the current figure.
The leading cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S. estimates that cyber attacks compromising account information for a “small subset” of users will incur costs ranging from $180 million to $400 million. Coinbase noted that this estimate does not factor in the $20 million ransom demanded by hackers, which the firm opted not to pay.
As the largest platform for cryptocurrency transactions in the United States, Coinbase reported that while attackers accessed sensitive information like names, addresses, and emails, they did not acquire login credentials or passwords. Nevertheless, the company is refunding customers who were tricked into sending funds to the attackers.
The hackers engaged various contractors and employees based outside the U.S. to extract information from internal systems. In response, Coinbase promptly terminated the implicated employee.
Furthermore, Coinbase has also declined to pay the ransom and is actively collaborating with law enforcement. Instead, they have offered a $20 million reward for information regarding the perpetrator.
“We are committed to investigating this case, enhancing security measures, and providing reimbursements to affected customers instead of funding criminal activities,” the company stated in its blog post.
On May 11, the company received an email from an unidentified threat actor claiming to possess information about certain customer accounts and internal documents. This revelation comes just days before Coinbase is poised to enter the Benchmark S&P 500 Index, representing a historic milestone in the cryptocurrency sector.
Security remains a significant issue for the cryptocurrency industry. In February, BYBIT, the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange globally, disclosed that an attacker had stolen approximately $1.5 billion worth of digital tokens.
In 2024, the total amount of funds stolen from hacking of cryptocurrency platforms reached $2.2 billion, according to a report from the blockchain analytics firm Chain Orisys. This marks the fourth year in a row that such hacks have surpassed $1 billion.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced on Thursday that they will cease tracking the nation’s most costly disasters, those inflicting damages of at least $1 billion.
This decision means insurance firms, researchers, and policymakers will lack crucial data necessary for understanding trends associated with significant disasters like hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires, which have become more prevalent this year. While not all disasters stem from climate change, such occurrences are intensifying as global temperatures rise.
This latest move marks another step by the Trump administration to restrict or eliminate climate research. Recently, the administration has rejected contributions to the country’s largest climate study, proposed cuts to grants for national parks addressing climate change, and unveiled a budget that would significantly reduce climate science funding at the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense.
Researchers and lawmakers expressed their disapproval of this decision on Thursday.
Jesse M. Keenan, an associate professor and director of climate change and urbanism at Tulane University in New Orleans, stated that halting data collection will hinder federal and state governments in making informed budgetary and infrastructure investment decisions.
“It’s illogical,” he remarked. Without a comprehensive database, “the U.S. government will be blind to the financial impacts of extreme weather and climate change.”
In comments on Bluesky, Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, described this move as “anti-science, anti-secure, and anti-American.”
Virginia Iglesias, a climate researcher at the University of Colorado, emphasized that few organizations can replicate the unique information provided by this database. “This represents one of the most consistent and trustworthy records of climate-related economic losses in the nation,” she said. “The database’s strength lies in its reliability.”
The so-called billion-dollar disasters—those with costs exceeding ten digits—are on the rise. In the 1980s, there were, on average, three such events annually, adjusted for inflation. By contrast, between 2020 and 2024, the average rose to 23 per year.
Since 1980, the U.S. has experienced at least 403 of these incidents. Last year, there were 27, and this year is projected to see the second-highest number (28 events).
Last year’s incidents included Hurricane Helen and Milton, which together resulted in approximately $113 billion in damages and over 250 fatalities in Colorado. Additionally, drought conditions that year caused around $3 billion in damages and claimed more than 100 lives nationwide.
NOAA’s National Environmental Information Center plans to cease tracking these billion-dollar disasters as priorities, statutory mandates, and staffing change, according to an email from the agency.
When asked whether NOAA or another branch of the federal agency would continue to publicly report data on such disasters, the agency did not respond. The communication indicated that archived data from 1980 to 2024 would be available, but incidences from 2025, such as the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, will not be monitored or published.
“We can’t address problems that we don’t measure,” noted Erinsikorsky, director of the Climate Security Centre. “Without information regarding the costs of these disasters, Americans and Congress will remain unaware of the risks posed by climate change to our nation.”
Sikorsky highlighted that other agencies may struggle to replicate this data collection as it involves proprietary insurance information that companies are reluctant to share. “It’s a remarkably unique contribution.”
President Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday outlining a series of actions aimed at lowering drug prices, including helping to import drugs from Canada.
The policy was more modest than the drug price reduction proposal Trump offered in his first term.
One of his new directives could potentially raise drug prices, as it calls for changes to the Medicare negotiation programs that could increase government costs.
Such changes may lead to delays in drug qualification for Medicare price cuts, ultimately impacting the cost.
Depending on its structure, the directive could potentially increase Medicare drug spending by billions of dollars compared to current spending under the law. The negotiation program was approved by a Democratic-controlled Congress and supported by former President Joseph R. Biden.
The executive order emphasizes that changes to the Medicare price negotiation program should be accompanied by other reforms to prevent an increase in overall costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
While some directives in the executive order may save money for patients and government programs, the proposals for Medicare negotiations are likely to increase costs without significant savings.
The order also includes provisions to lower co-payments for certain medical treatments and provide discounted insulin and epinephrine injections to low-income individuals.
This executive order marks a significant move by the Trump administration regarding drug pricing.
Following Trump’s decision to consider imposing tariffs on imported drugs, which manufacturers might pass on to consumers, there is concern that this could lead to increased costs and potentially worsen drug shortages.
Some directives in the executive order, such as changes to the Medicare negotiation program, require Congressional approval and have faced opposition from the pharmaceutical industry.
Trump has long expressed dissatisfaction with the high drug prices in the US compared to other countries. While the executive order includes measures to address some pricing issues, it lacks a report on the pricing policies of preferred countries, which could have helped align US drug prices with those of other nations.
These are some of the key aspects of Trump’s executive order concerning drug pricing.
Eliminate “pill penalty”
The order instructs Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to collaborate with Congress on addressing disparities in how certain drugs are treated in Medicare negotiation programs.
It highlights that under current law, different types of drugs have varying eligibility periods for price reductions, with some drugs having longer wait times before price cuts can be applied.
Drugmakers have criticized the existing “pill penalty” in the Medicare program, which they claim hinders innovation and access to new treatments. Legislative efforts are being made to address these differences in treatment of various drug types.
The executive order does not specify the exact timeline for exempting different drug types from Medicare price reductions.
Pharmaceutical industry representatives have expressed willingness to work with the administration and Congress to develop solutions that reduce costs and enhance access to medications for the public.
The negotiations on drug prices overseen by Biden officials are set to result in price reductions taking effect in 2026, while the Trump administration will oversee negotiations for certain drugs in upcoming years.
The White House released a fact sheet on Tuesday stating that the Biden administration aims to generate more savings through its Medicare negotiation program compared to previous years. However, this could be challenging if Congress limits the duration during which Medicare can access lower prices.
Drug imports from Canada
The executive order directs the FDA to streamline the process for importing low-cost drugs from Canada, building on previous efforts initiated during Trump’s first term.
While importing drugs from Canada may offer cost savings, the potential imposition of tariffs by Trump on imported drugs could offset these benefits.
Standardize joint payments at various clinics
The order calls for regulations to ensure consistency in the fees charged by medical practices for administering drugs to patients across different healthcare settings.
Currently, many hospital-owned medical practices bill Medicare higher fees than independent practices for the same services, impacting Medicare beneficiaries who are responsible for a portion of the costs.
Efforts to standardize these payments have faced opposition from hospitals seeking higher payments. Legislation during the Obama administration addressed some of these discrepancies in payment rates.
Promote affordable generic products
Trump has instructed the FDA to expedite the approval process for generic and biosimilar drugs, aiming to increase access to lower-cost alternatives to brand-name drugs.
While there is hope for cost savings through the approval of biosimilars, patient adoption has been slower than anticipated, impacting the overall savings potential.
Affordable insulin for low-income individuals
Trump has reinstated a previous order to provide discounted insulin and epinephrine injections to certain low-income individuals through Community Health Clinics.
While initially proposed in 2020, the implementation of this initiative was halted by the Biden administration citing administrative burdens.
A new technology application has been reported to potentially reduce costs and improve environmental friendliness of refrigerators.
In 2019, domestic refrigerators and freezers accounted for nearly 4% of global electricity consumption. One quote states that simply innovating to decrease power usage is no longer sufficient.
Research from Huazhong Science and Technology University suggests that thermal galvanic technology shows promise as a sustainable cooling alternative to the commonly-used steam compression technology in refrigerators.
According to the findings, “Thermal galvanic cooling offers an environmentally friendly solution with low carbon emissions, potentially contributing to carbon neutrality if widely adopted.”
The research also indicates that this technology can be applied across various sectors, from wearable cooling devices to industrial settings.
Duan mentions, “Thermal galvanic technology is making its way into our lives through efficient electricity or low-power cooling. Both the research and commercial communities should take note.”
Heat galvanic cells generate electricity from thermal energy produced by a chemical reaction. Researchers have found heat galvanic hydrogel that can aid in cooling mobile phone batteries while converting waste heat into electricity.
Optimizing the chemicals in the process has led to a 70% improvement in cooling efficiency of the galvanic cells.
The electricity used to power refrigerators, coupled with gas leaks from refrigeration units, is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. In the UK, 50% of refrigeration-related emissions are from electricity usage, with 37% from household refrigerators.
Future research efforts will focus on enhancing system design and exploring additional commercial applications.
Duan states, “Our advanced electrolytes have commercial potential, but further efforts are needed to enhance design, scalability, and stability for practical implementation of this technology.”
“Moving forward, we aim to enhance heat galvanic cooling performance through new mechanisms and advanced materials, along with developing various refrigerator prototypes for potential applications. Collaborations with companies are being pursued to promote the commercialization of heat galvanic technology.”
Being vulnerable, open, and risking rejection come with a price when putting yourself out there. Today, that price can be substantial.
Beyond just the cost of drinks and dinner, you may have already invested hundreds of pounds in a dating site to secure a date before even starting the awkward dance of who foots the bill.
How much does the app cost?
While some dating services are free, many now offer attractive add-ons for a small fee to help you find more compatible connections, get noticed faster, and get more dates. We’ve looked into what the main ones offer.
crater
Tinder is free, but you can upgrade to a paid version “to enhance your Tinder experience,” according to the website.
Photo: Martin Bülow/AFP/Getty Images
Tinder is free, but you can upgrade to a paid version for an enhanced experience, with prices starting at £7 per month and going up to around £50 according to their press team.
There are three subscription tiers (Plus, Gold, and Platinum) offered at varying prices. Plus options range from £4.99 to £19.94 per month in 2021, gold ranges from £13.99 to £29.49, and platinum from £18.14 to £36.49.
Different users may be charged different prices based on factors like age, as revealed by a survey by a consumer group “Which?”.
hinge
The free version of Hinge allows eight likes and messages to matches per day. Two paid subscriptions promise double the dates.
Hinge+ costs £14.99 per week, £24.99 per month, £49.99 for three months, and £74.99 for six months.
HingeX costs £24.99 per week, £44.99 per month, £89.99 for three months, and £129.99 for six months.
With Gold membership, it takes an average of 3 months to find a partner and leave Muzz.
Photo: Mikhailo Polenok/Alamy
So far this year, hail — not hurricanes, floods or tornadoes — has caused the most costly weather damage in the United States.
Research suggests that large hailstorms will become more frequent due to climate change.
Next year, scientists are planning the first field study of hail in the United States since the 1970s, and will track hailstorms in the same way they track tornadoes.
Barb Berlin was standing in the garage of her farmhouse near Inman, Nebraska, when she heard a sudden crackling noise.
“I thought it was a gun,” she said.
Then a streak of white appeared, and she realized the sound wasn't a gunshot, but hail.
Fist-sized hailstones pounded on the tin roof of Berlin's garage, and soon others began punching softball-shaped holes in the hood of her Ford Mustang parked outside.
“It was very loud and scary. I prayed a lot,” Berlin said, adding that she was worried about her livestock. “I've never seen hail like that before.”
Hail is a hidden danger: Despite the extreme weather this spring and summer, hail — not hurricanes, floods or tornadoes — caused the most losses in the U.S., according to Gallagher Re, a global reinsurance firm that tracks such data.
And as the planet warms, research suggests large hailstorms like the one observed in Berlin on Monday will become more frequent. A study published last monthThis suggests that the chances of smaller, less damaging hail will decrease.
A study by researchers at Northern Illinois University projects that the frequency of hailstones larger than about 1.5 inches could increase by 15% to 75%, depending on the amount of greenhouse gas pollution humans emit.
Hail occurs when thunderstorms circulate raindrops in the upper layers of the atmosphere, and typically occurs where temperatures are between -22°F and 14°F. Climate change affects hail because warmer temperatures create more energy to push air upwards.In a thunderstorm.
“We expect to see stronger updrafts in the future as the atmosphere becomes more unstable,” said Victor Gensini, a professor of meteorology at Northern Illinois University and lead author of the study.
According to the study, these strong updrafts allow hail to remain in the right places in the storm longer, allowing more ice to accumulate before the hail becomes too heavy and falls to the ground.
“Imagine trying to balance a ping pong ball on an upside-down hair dryer pointing up into the sky,” Gensini said, explaining how updrafts lift hailstones. “Now try balancing a baseball or a grapefruit. You'll need a stronger updraft to…
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In my family, we have developed a habit of ordering affordable DVDs whenever we discover a show or movie that we know we want to watch again (which is a trick in itself!).
Towards the end of 2020, when I relocated to a new apartment in another area of Seattle, I ended up disposing of a trash bag full of VHS tapes. While it was inevitable due to spatial constraints, I had a strong feeling that I might regret it. A sudden shift in the TV landscape where channels started charging viewers for access to old content (from Jaws to Airplanes to classic dramas) literally overnight caught us off guard. We hadn’t anticipated such a rapid change. mountain aspect
‘In the end, it will become a future landfill site.‘
I enjoy the concept of having a DVD collection and perusing its shelves like a rental store.
However, I can’t shake off the realization that most of the valuable possessions we accumulate will eventually end up in future landfills, left for future generations to grapple with. I am also keenly aware that at some point, I will either have to take on the responsibility of disposing of and redistributing my various interests, or pass the task on to a close relative. In that sense, the thought of owning even a modest DVD collection extensive enough to cover all bases fills me with dread. I think of my grandparents and the boxes they amassed over their lifetimes, destined for disposal in the dump, their parents’ attic, or the charity shop. TypeON negative
‘There’s a significant disparity in quality…‘
I may be considered a Luddite, but I’m not particularly captivated by this trend of streaming.
I recently watched a movie on Disney+. Newer movies often exhibit overly dark visuals (a complaint echoed by several acquaintances). Older films are frequently displayed in incorrect proportions or feature subpar soundtracks. My son has recently subscribed to Prime Video mainly for the TV shows but has yet to explore the movie offerings. For some reason, I harbor doubts about being able to find the movie I wish to watch.
Fortunately, we still have a local HMV store. Nothing beats the experience of strolling there, browsing around for an hour or so, and selecting a Blu-ray. The disparity in quality between watching movies via streaming and physical media is quite pronounced. “After Hours”, “Eraserhead”, “Boogie Nights”, “Naked”, “The Conversation”, “The Passengers”… While casual movie enthusiasts may indulge in a Netflix binge, more dedicated film fans prefer a shelf stocked with physical media. man without fear
A bustling video store in 2009. Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images
‘This current phase is the worst‘
Rental spaces will once again thrive, though it may take time, bringing a sense of nostalgia for some and a fresh experience for others. As mentioned in the article, there is a resurgence fueled by the revival of vinyl records. The more enthusiasts of the original content and the younger generation realize that they can’t access the authentic material, the more the market will adapt. However, this phase is undoubtedly the most challenging, especially with streaming services pulling titles in multiple directions. Mr username 2014
‘the hype is real‘
I recently canceled my streaming subscription and started collecting “final format” 4K Blu-rays.
The hype is justified. The quality is exceptional, with no discernible drop in visual and audio quality that can happen with streaming. Some discs are particularly well-optimized for the format. Oppenheimer is a prime example (using high-quality headphones and viewing on a 4K disc makes for a very satisfying 3-hour experience). The advent of Villeneuve is also commendable.
As a gamer, I rarely have time to dedicate to playing for more than 20 hours nowadays, so having a PS5 gives me something to engage with. blue jay 2011
‘Household finances are stretched‘
Speaking personally, I believe the streaming industry will eventually rue its efforts to lock in customers. Unfortunately, household budgets are tight, and the cost of subscribing to streaming services adds up. And it’s not just me – there are numerous services vying for attention, leading to decision fatigue.
When movies and similar content are sold on DVD or Blu-ray, the consumer is committing to a one-time purchase. As a result, these companies, and the film industry as a whole, may end up forfeiting a significant portion of their downstream revenue while also being under pressure to ensure customer satisfaction. As this discussion underscores, many of us still yearn for the ability to purchase movies in physical formats. buzz 2023
‘I have reverted‘
Honestly, I shifted to streaming platforms for movies and music for a while, but I found myself reverting back. Not only did the platform remove content I desired (movies and shows), but (especially when it came to music) changing platforms essentially meant I was “purchasing” music when I wasn’t truly owning it. I decided to change my approach. I lost money and didn’t actually possess my music. Because I had never truly bought the music in the first place, my wallet disagreed with the arrangement. That realization made me uneasy about the entire situation. Additionally, DVDs turn out to be much more cost-effective to own. Beacon of Hope Discount
‘very cluttered‘
It’s quite cluttered. I keep the CDs in a disc folder and discard the cases. While some may consider it sacrilege, it’s a satisfying compromise for me. Seven Highter
‘I’m not fixated on the format‘
Having films in digital format is too convenient for me to go back to physical formats. I do, however, continue to buy DVDs and Blu-rays of movies that aren’t digitized, but it’s a hassle to remove the DVD from its case, go to the DVD player, and start it up. …With digital media, you can initiate a movie in moments, regardless of your location. I’m not hooked on any particular format or medium. The main desire is to be able to watch our favorite movies whenever and wherever we want, and digital media is the best option for that. bf_Silver Town
‘I wasn’t intrigued until DVDs were introduced‘
Collecting movies was never as popular as amassing books or music (CDs, records, tapes). I had no inclination toward it until DVDs made their debut.
What I miss about the rise of physical media is the ability to visit someone’s home, peruse their collection of books, records, and DVDs, and discover their diverse interests. It’s a conversation starter. Jifujiji
DVDs on display in HMV stores in London. Photo: David Levin/The Guardian
‘Biggest film loss since the fires in the old studio vaults‘
We are witnessing the greatest loss of films since the fires that ravaged the old studio vaults. While some may argue that inaccessible films still exist somewhere, what if no one is able to view them?
Furthermore, digital formats are subject to frequent changes. Eventually, all digital copies of films will become obsolete. Will Disney or any other entity go to the lengths and expense of transferring all their popular movies to a new format? Possibly.
But will they undertake the arduous and costly task of migrating thousands of potentially forgotten films that haven’t seen the light of day in years and are buried in long-unused databases? Highly unlikely. son of the desert
‘I no longer live like an obsessive hoarder‘
Two years ago, I donated thousands of DVDs and Blu-rays to charity shops. I’ve abandoned the life of an obsessive hoarder and now find more peace of mind. With numerous old and new titles to watch, there are discs in my possession that I’ve never viewed in decades, some of which I’ve even given away while still in their original shrink wrap. Had streaming been available 30 years ago, it might have paid off my mortgage. R Gouveia
‘Film production courses‘
One of the reasons I’ve bought and continue to purchase numerous DVDs over the years is for the bonus content such as director commentaries, behind-the-scenes features, and interviews with cast and crew. While David Fincher’s “Seven” may be available on some random streaming service, the DVD’s commentary track alone is a treasure trove for film enthusiasts. sagarmatha 1953
‘DVDs are delicate and not everlasting‘
I still retain all my DVDs and am actively acquiring new ones. Many movies are not consistently available on streaming services, if at all, hence retaining them as physical media is crucial. The only challenge is that DVDs are susceptible to damage and cannot stand the test of time. The same can be said for DVD players. I’ve contemplated buying a new DVD player as a backup. While I do utilize a streaming service, it often has limited offerings and I struggle to find what I’m looking for, particularly when it comes to “older” movies from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1970s. Recently, I revisited the original “Ladykillers” – the remakes just don’t compare. about
‘It’s not an either-or situation‘
For me, it’s not about choosing one over the other. Streaming (via the usual platforms) has its place. It allows for discovering new movies or trying something different. Physical media, on the other hand, enables me to build my collection of movies that I can’t stream or that I prefer to own while watching them again. iron moog 007
Because of global warming, you are already paying more and more for groceries. And rising temperatures will cause food prices to rise significantly over the next decade.
By 2035, rising temperatures alone are expected to increase global food prices by 0.9 to 3.2 percent each year, according to a study conducted in collaboration with the European Central Bank. This would increase the overall inflation rate by 0.3 to 1.2 percentage points.
“We are often shocked and surprised by the magnitude of these effects,” he says. Maximilian Kotz He mentioned discussions he had with economists during his research at Germany's Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
To find out how this is affecting food prices, Kotz and his colleagues looked at monthly price data for a variety of goods and services for 121 countries from 1996 to 2021 and the exposure to which those countries were exposed. The weather conditions were compared.
Researchers looked at the correlation between food prices and factors such as average monthly temperatures, temperature fluctuations, droughts and extreme rainfall. They found a strong association between average temperature and food prices a month or so later.
Areas north of 40 degrees latitude, such as New York City, Madrid, and Beijing, experienced warmer-than-average winter temperatures, leading to lower food prices. But not just in the summer, temperatures in other parts of the world have always been above average, causing food prices to rise.
Moreover, the impact on prices is long-lasting. “If prices go up based on one of these shocks, they stay high for at least the rest of the period,” Kotz says.
The study didn't look at why prices have increased, but one possible explanation is that extreme heat is reducing yields, he said. “The vines may be dry when the crop should be harvested.”
Kotz said factors such as extreme rainfall had a smaller impact on food prices than average temperatures. This may be because flooding tends to be localized, whereas above-average temperatures can be very widespread.
Other studies have reached similar conclusions, Kotz said. But his team went a step further and investigated how food prices would change based on increases in average temperatures in climate model projections. Under the team's worst-case emissions scenario, global food inflation due to climate change will exceed 4% per year by 2060. However, the team believes the 2035 prediction is more reliable, as many other factors could have changed by then.
“There are a lot of things that could happen that will change the way the economy responds to climate change,” Kotz said. For example, inflationary pressures would be reduced if farmers adapted their practices to better cope with rising temperatures. But so far, he says, there is no sign that farmers are adapting.
“I think these are realistic predictions. They are based on solid empirical evidence.” Matin Kaim At the University of Bonn, Germany. “We need to recognize the fact that climate change poses new and major challenges to food and nutrition security.”
Like the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England, the European Central Bank aims to: keep inflation around 2%. Rising food inflation will make achieving this goal even more difficult, Kotz said.
One of the benefits of using Kubernetes to handle container orchestration is that containers are ephemeral, lasting as long as needed and then disappearing. This was supposed to help solve the resource allocation problem, since containers only need to run long enough to process jobs. However, as Kubernetes environments become increasingly complex, another problem arises as engineering teams must manually modify Kubernetes configurations to accommodate changing needs.
Additionally, workloads are often over-allocated to ensure they continue to run regardless of usage spikes, which can result in unnecessarily high cloud charges. scale ops, an early-stage startup, wants to solve this problem. Rather than guessing and constantly adjusting static allocations, we built a system that dynamically sets configurations based on your requirements at any time. Today, the company announced a $21.5 million Series A.
Yodar Shafrir, co-founder and CEO of ScaleOps, said he often saw this overallocation problem when working at his previous company. As a result, a lot of engineering time was spent configuring resources, often resulting in high cloud charges.
“The companies we work with today are seeing 70% to 80% wasted on over-provisioned containers,” Shafrir told TechCrunch. “So we realized that the only way to free our engineers from this repetitive configuration and free them to focus on what really matters is to fully automate the resource allocation process.”
The company has created a dashboard that shows businesses what workloads are currently available and how much they can save by letting ScaleOps autoconfigure them. He said customers typically start small with a single workload to see how it works. Then, once you see your results, toggle automation to save even more.
Image credits: scale ops
He sees an opportunity for growth as companies look to save on cloud fees. The company was founded in 2022 and has dozens of paying customers since launching its product earlier this year, managing thousands of his Kubernetes clusters using its ScaleOps product. Customers include Wiz, Coralogix, and Outbrain. ScaleOps currently has 30 employees, and he plans to double that number by the end of next year.
The company’s $21.5 million Series A was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, NFX, and Glilot Capital Partners.
A new study finds that accounting for the long-term effects of tropical cyclones increases the global social cost of carbon by more than 20%. This increase is due to the predicted increase in damage in major countries due to global warming. The study highlights that current estimates ignore these long-term economic effects and underestimate the true costs of climate change.
Extreme events like tropical cyclones have an immediate impact but have long-term effects on society. New research published in the journal Nature Communications. Considering the long-term effects of these storms, the global societal carbon cost will increase by more than 20 percent compared to estimates currently used in policy assessments. This increase is primarily due to the predicted increase in damage from tropical cyclones to the major economies of India, the United States, China, Taiwan, and Japan due to global warming.
“Our analysis shows that severe tropical cyclones have the power to slow a country’s economic development by more than a decade. Global warming is expected to increase the proportion of the most intense tropical cyclones. “This increases the likelihood that the economy will not be able to fully recover between storms,” explains Hazem Krishen, author and scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) at the time of the survey. Therefore, long-term effects such as reduced economic growth caused by tropical cyclones can have an even greater negative impact on economic development than the direct economic damage caused by the storm.
The so-called social carbon cost is an estimate of the future cost to society in dollars of emitting an additional ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This important indicator is widely used in policy evaluation because it allows comparisons between the costs of climate change to society and the costs of climate mitigation measures. “However, the long-term effects of extreme events have not been taken into account so far, so current societal carbon cost estimates reflect only a portion of the real costs. The costs are probably even higher than currently estimated, which means that the benefits of climate mitigation are underestimated,” says co-author Franziska Piontek from PIK.
Hotter climate, more intense tropical cyclones, and rising costs
For the study, scientists analyzed the economic damage caused by these storms in 41 tropical cyclone-prone countries between 1981 and 2015 and made predictions about future global warming scenarios. did. In contrast to previous studies, these studies accounted for most of the long-term negative effects of these storms on economic development. The researchers found that these impacts increase the social cost of carbon by more than 20 percent globally (from US$173 to US$212 per tonne of carbon dioxide) and by 40 percent in the tropical cyclone-prone countries analyzed. I found that it has increased. Estimates of social carbon costs currently used in policy evaluations.
“When it comes to extreme events, the emphasis is on the immediate economic damage. However, these are important to inform society about the real costs of climate change and the climate impacts that can be avoided with effective climate action. It is equally important to better quantify the overall cost of events,” concludes study author Christian Otto of PIK.
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