ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by looking at worldwide public perception of the issue and what people think in general, from an ideological standpoint, demographically, how they view responsibility and mitigation, and where they place climate change amid other world threats in terms of importance. It explores the impacts of drought and desertification on the economy, what can be expected in the future in the fishing and forestry industries, what it means for agriculture and food production, and how significant the impacts to the recreation and tourism industry are expected to be. The chapter looks at the economic issues associated with climate change. The direct costs of not taking on the challenges imposed by climate change are often neglected or ignored—and unfortunately, in the past, have not been calculated into a long-term solution. The economic effects of climate change touch virtually every sector of the economy and have far-reaching effects. It affects agriculture and food production, which affects domestic and global trade.
