City Desk
- Details
- Category: City Desk
By Mark Moran - Producer-Editor, Contact - News
Big Sky Connection - A wildlife conservation group has released a new scientific report that predicts Montana will lose thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars as the result of climate change by mid-century. The report is based on a combination of state and national climate data. Comments from Frank Szollosi (suh LAH see), executive director, Montana Wildlife Federation; and Donovan Power, principal researcher, Power Consulting.
Mark Moran
November 10, 2023 - A new scientific report from a wildlife conservation group details the potential impacts of climate change on Montana jobs and the environment. For the first time, the report combines state and national climate-assessment data.
The report, released by the Montana Wildlife Federation and based on what it called the best available science, predicted an annual loss of 8,800 outdoor recreation jobs and a $263 million economic impact in lost wages by mid-century because of the effects of climate change.
Federation executive director Frank Szollosi said the effects will be felt most strongly in Montana's iconic national parks.
"Glacier and Yellowstone accounting for about 43% of the total job impacts and 41% of the total labor income losses," he said. "Montana's hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, we're the first to witness the changing climate's tangible effects."
The report said the average temperature in Montana is projected to rise at least 6 degrees by mid-century. August would see the biggest warmup.
The report based its findings on a combination of state and national climate-assessment data, allowing researchers to dig deeper into the science. Donovan Power, a research scientist with his own environmental consulting company, said this localized climate data makes climate-change predictions for Montana more accurate.
"The data has just become a lot more specific in our ability to predict how that's going to impact things like the ski industry or snowmobiling, for example," he said.
Warmer, wetter winters are likely to affect those recreational areas that rely on heavy snowfall in winter. In the future, Power said, they're likely to see more rain instead, creating a huge drag on these tourism and economic drivers for Montana.
| Best Practices | Disclosure |
- Details
- Category: City Desk
Click on the image above for the audio.
PNS - Friday, November 10, 2023 - Rep. Cori Bush says the 4-hour pauses in Gaza are not enough, West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin won't run for reelection and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries supports a CR to avoid a government shutdown.
- Details
- Category: City Desk
Click on the image above for the audio.
PNS - Friday, November 10, 2023 - Postal Workers now largest union to demand a ceasefire in Gaza; Democratic WV Sen. Joe Manchin won t seek reelection; and a new report says Climate change to cost MT jobs; Veteran's Day approaches and Medal of Honor recipients to be honored.
- Details
- Category: City Desk
Big Sky Connection - Based on trends in a new poll, voters in rural Montana are not satisfied with the state of the economy and the role they play in it. Montana is expected to be a battleground state in next year's election. Comments from Celinda Lake, president, Lake Research Partners; and Dee Davis, president, Center for Rural Strategies.
Click on the image above for the audio. Around 49% of Montana voters lean Republican while 30% are Democrats. The remainder identify as independent, according to the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)
Mark Moran
November 9, 2023 - A new poll shows Montana's rural voters are concerned with rising transportation and energy costs, higher health-care expenses, and a lack of good-paying jobs - as they look toward next year's election.
Montana is among a handful of battleground states that could turn the vote in high-profile races next year.
In addition to the pocketbook issues common among other rural states, Montanans are also concerned about their environment and want a say in how it is cared for.
The new poll by the Center for Rural Strategies and Lake Research Partners asked people in rural America how they feel about their role in the economy and the perception of modern politics.
Lake Research President Celinda Lake said political polarization among rural voters is increasing, and has influenced perceptions of the economy.
"They don't think the economy is working well for them, and Republicans are really pessimistic about the economy," said Lake. "Democrats are more optimistic, but even they are split. There is a lot of polarization that started very early, and it's because people aren't hearing the kind of dialogue that would be useful in rural areas."
Lake added that job creation, prescription drug prices and food costs are also extremely important - but she said finding local solutions to these problems is critical to rural Montana voters.
Rural Americans as a whole listed freedom and family as the two values they hold most dear.
The poll shows many people in rural Montana identify themselves by the work they do.
Many of those technical or manual-labor jobs have been replaced by technology or moved overseas - and have shaped how rural Americans feel about the economy.
But Center for Rural Strategies President Dee Davis said the survey found close to 40% of rural, blue-collar voters could be swayed by targeted policy proposals and messaging.
"Talk to people not in the short-term, 'I'm going to tell you this to get your vote tomorrow,' way," said Davis, "but in a longer kind of way to create a discourse about the future of rural America and have people participate in that."
Looking toward next year's election, the poll shows former President Donald Trump with an 18% lead over President Joe Biden among rural Americans.
| Best Practices | References |
