In areas heavily dependent on coal production, any reduction of coal use will create unemployment, and these workers may not be prepared to switch to other jobs. While job retraining is an appropriate response, there will probably be local areas that suffer, even if the regional and global situation improves, says the Penn State geographer. Not all aspects of global climate change are negative. Positive benefits include a longer period of favorable weather for coastal resorts, decreased costs of snow removal and a longer growing season with less threat of late spring frosts and early fall frosts. Integrated regional assessment aims to take scientific information and make it relevant to those on local, regional and national levels who make policy decisions.
Events having no significant impact on a global scale can cause localized economic dislocation.
The information, evidence and risks need to be considered before decisions are made.