Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

GoLeft TV

(3,910 posts)
Mon Mar 3, 2014, 09:58 AM Mar 2014

Study: Climate Change Will Cause 22,000 Murders, 180,000 Rapes by 2099

From Ring of Fire:

A new study presents more evidence of the link between aggression and warmer temperatures. According to the study by economist Matthew Ranson, historic crime data and temperature data show that warmer weather leads to more murders, rapes, aggravated assaults, robberies, larceny, and theft.

Using crime and weather data dating back 30 years for 2,997 US counties, Ranson’s study finds that temperature has “a strong positive effect” on criminal behavior. According to the study, between 2010 and 2099, rising temperatures due to climate change will cause an additional 22,000 murders, 180, 000 rapes, 1.2 million aggravated assaults, 2.3 million simple assaults, 260,000 robberies, 2.2 million cases of larceny, and 580,000 cases of vehicle theft in the United States.

Though controversial, Ranson’s study is not the first to link climate change to increased aggression and violence. In August, researchers at UV Berkeley released a study in the peer-review journal Science, drawing a link between increased rates of violent crime and a warming climate.

You can read the full article here at Ring of Fire.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Environment & Energy»Study: Climate Change Wil...