The South is at more risk from the effects of climate change than other areas, according to the new “Pathways to Prosperity” report that examines the most up-to-date evidence on climate and equity issues in 12 Southern states.
According to the report, between 2020 to 2023, South Carolinians experienced over $500 million in weather and climate disaster damages per million residents — about $2.5 billion for the state in the three-year span.
“South Carolina has a massive opportunity to leverage federal investments and lessen the harms of climate change,” said Allison Plyer, lead author of the new report.
The National Conference on Citizenship, in partnership with Fair Count and the Southern Economic Advancement Project, unveiled the report Feb. 9 as a way to tackle the most severe impacts of climate change and emphasize the importance of federal investments in addressing these challenges.
The report emphasizes that without taking steps to address and adapt to climate change — strategies like investing in infrastructure to combat flooding and reducing vulnerabilities to heat — the impact of disasters in the South will escalate, potentially resulting in costs exceeding the total economic output of some states.
Efforts to combat flooding
Investing in flood protection infrastructure is crucial for adapting to climate change, according to the report.
Raising buildings, securing equipment and reducing impervious surfaces are necessary to increase flood resilience. Nature-based solutions include restoring barrier islands and wetlands.
“The average cost of flood insurance in South Carolina will be $1,531 once full-risk prices are completely implemented — a 92% increase from what policyholders currently pay,” the report said. Living expenses rise for property owners who are required to buy flood insurance until solutions are implemented.
As prices increase, many property owners may not be able to afford coverage.
“The number of National Flood Insurance policies in force has declined from 5.7 million in 2009 to 4.7 million in 2023,” the report said.
Because of rising insurance costs, many families are left with little option but to drop their insurance, which increases their financial vulnerability. Renovating homes to withstand weather conditions, including against severe heat, proves equally cost-effective.
Escaping the heat
Increasing temperatures are also a significant threat. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that 2024 could be even hotter than 2023, a record setting year for temperatures, with Southern states being particularly subject to rising heat.
Nearly 26% of South Carolinians are vulnerable to extreme heat, according to the Pathways to Prosperity report. And property renters can be among the most vulnerable.
Air-conditioning is necessary for staying safe in these extreme temperatures, but in the South, many older homes often lack proper insulation. Fixing up homes can make them more energy efficient by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving money on energy bills.
The federal government is expanding the number of homes that are able to withstand weather conditions each year through Inflation Reduction Act funding, but it’s only limited to homeowners through tax credits, the report said.
In 2021, South Carolina improved the weather resistance of less than 1% of residents’ homes, according to the report.
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