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Comment by cryptonector | Hacker News Reader

I've never heard any person I know utter anything about fearing climate change. I call BS on "climate fears mount". If that were true we'd see very public figures who own ocean front properties sell them, and we'd see ocean front property prices plummet. Until that happens, I won't believe that "climate fears mount".

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For the record, I'm in ~northern Europe, and plan to eventually retire to warmer climes. Observing the intensifying weather, I am most definitely looking at how the change in sea levels, ambient temperatures and more powerful storms will affect my future choice of location.

Immediate sea front properties are out of the question. Same for low lands. Forest covered or at least shrubberied hills, outside of but somewhat higher than most port towns, are looking ever more enticing.

Huh. Everyone I know in western states is extremely worried about climate change's current impact on their health and safety. Are you on the east coast or something? Otherwise, I'd think the smoke would be enough to make people worried.

Here's just two examples of rich people who recently bought homes on the coast while telling the plebs to fear the rising water levels:

Bill Gate's San Diego beach front home: https://nypost.com/2022/03/23/bill-gates-is-turning-43m-mans...

Obama's home on the coast of Martha's Vineyard (an island in the Atlantic): https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2019/12/04/president-obama-...

For wealthy people who can afford multiple properties, and to up and move whenever they please, why would rising sea levels matter to them? Both properties could collapse into a sinkhole tomorrow and it would be a mere annoyance. The fact they own them is no evidence they aren't aware that they might not be around in 50 years. For someone looking for a second property, closing on retirement, worrying about inheritance for their children, the thought process is entirely different.

> If that were true we'd see very public figures who own ocean front properties sell them, and we'd see ocean front property prices plummet.

Humans are really good at ignoring problems until they come to a head. Even when that happens, they try to bargain around it - just look at flood plain insurance.

Humans are really good at ignoring that their leaders who say one thing and do another.

Leaders tend to be rich, and will do rich people things. Obama, Trump, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and the like can afford to relocate away from the coast when it becomes necessary. Or to lobby for government intervention like sea walls and bailouts.

The problems of climate change will disproportionately affect the poor. The rich will be fine, and their purchases will reflect this.

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