Climate Change...A Threat?

BLB53

I've been hearing more and more about this topic from mainstream media such as BBC recently. The past 4 years have been the warmest four years on record; we have a decade to keep warming below 1.5C; We need to transition from fossil fuel to renewables; Antarctic ice shelf is melting etc.

In the US they are thinking of introducing the Green New Deal which would mean a transition to 100% clean energy by 2035.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/11/green-new-deal-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-ed-markey

This will inevitably have implications for investors and I think I should be 'climate-proofing' my portfolio in some way but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I have roughly half my investments in Vanguard Lifestrategy 60 and the rest in various actively managed investment trusts such as Scottish Mortgage, Finsbury Growth & Income and Woodford Patient Capital.

Is anyone concerned and if so what do you suggest?

bostonerimus

I worked briefly on NASA's "Mission to Planet Earth" and Global Warming is the biggest problem facing us all right now...It will be even bigger for our children. there is going to be a lot of change and dislocation in economies and my attitude is to just stick with a board cap weighted index. If oil companies shrink and alternative energy companies grow then that will be reflected in the index...but I get the feeling the oil companies will become alternative energy companies.

MobileSaver

BLB53 wrote: »

I've been hearing more and more about this topic from mainstream media such as BBC recently. The past 4 years have been the warmest four years on record; we have a decade to keep warming below 1.5C;

What does "the warmest four years on record" mean in the context of our planet that has hosted life for millions of years? How many years of accurate records do we have and by extension how significant is four years of higher temperatures in the grand scheme of things?

If we only have records for the last 150 years out of millions of years then it's hardly surprising we'll keep recording "record" temperatures is it?

A._Badger

The BBC has long since ceased to be an impartial news broadcaster. Do your own research and challenge all claims against verifiable facts. Read as widely as you can - not just from organisations with a vested interest, whether financial, political or both.

BLB53

The BBC has long since ceased to be an impartial news broadcaster

That may be the case but I guess most media outlets are just picking up on reports from the climate scientists. Leaving aside BBC bias, most of the global community - Trump excepted - now accept the science is accurate and have warned that to prevent a catastrophe, we need to limit warming to 1.5C.

I really am just wanting to know the best way to respond and what adjustments to make (if any) to my portfolio given that things are changing very quickly.

LHW99

If the worst predictions of climate change come to pass, investments will be the least of our problems. Its also likely it will come and bite us in areas we have barely heard of just now.
IMO Invest in a wide geographic spread, maybe add a fund that specialises in environmental issues or which has that as its ethical focus if you wish.

hyubh

A._Badger wrote: »

The BBC has long since ceased to be an impartial news broadcaster. Do your own research and challenge all claims against verifiable facts. Read as widely as you can - not just from organisations with a vested interest, whether financial, political or both.

Oh dear, I think you'll find the Bitcoin thread more to your fancy...

A._Badger

hyubh wrote: »

Oh dear, I think you'll find the Bitcoin thread more to your fancy...

It's very revealing that advice to do one's own research and take nothing on trust immediately provokes such a defensive reaction.

What are you afraid of?