To the Point
Risk Assessment, Climate Change and Insurance Rates
Travelers and Fireman's Fund are among the insurance companies joining the fight against global warming. The result could be a difference in what you pay for premiums, what you drive and where you live. Can the world's biggest industry help reduce greenhouse gases, or is global warming just a good excuse to raise premiums while reducing risk? Also, North Korea calls UN sanctions a "declaration of war," and the FDA's about to approve milk and meat from cloned animals--but they may already be out of the barn.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenTravelers and Fireman's Fund are among the insurance companies joining the fight against global warming. The result could be a difference in what you pay for premiums, what you drive and where you live. Can the world's biggest industry help reduce greenhouse gases, or is global warming just a good excuse to raise premiums while reducing risk? Also, North Korea calls UN sanctions a "declaration of war," and the FDA's about to approve milk and meat from cloned animals--but they may already be out of the barn.
In this episode
3 storiesNorth Korea Says Sanctions Are a War Declaration
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on her way to Asia to push "full implementation" of the UN sanctions that North Korea calls "a declaration of war." Meantime, an unnamed US official says North Korea may be preparing a second nuclear test.
Read the story6 minRisk Assessment, Climate Change and Insurance Rates
Last year, the global insurance industry saw revenues of more than $3 trillion--a third more than revenues from oil and gas, and it adds up to enormous economic and political clout. In the late 60's, insurers lost 1 to 2% of premiums to weather-related catastrophes. From 1984 to 2004, the average was 3.3%.
Read the story34 minFDA Close to Approving Sale of Meat, Milk from Clones
Dolly the Sheep became the world's first cloned animal in 1996.
Read the story8 min
