Angela Bishop has been struggling with what she describes as the cost of everything lately.
Groceries are one stressor, although she gets some reprieve from the free school lunches her four kids receive.
Weve just seen the prices before our eyes just skyrocket, said Bishop, who is 39.
Grocery shopping during time of inflation.© Ashley Grise/Shutterstock
Families nationwide are dealing with similar financial struggles.
Simply put, inflation was instrumental in determining how millions of Americans cast their ballots.
She knows that climate change has something to do with inflation, but isnt sure exactly what.
In 2022, inflation reached9%in the U.S. the highest rate in over 40 years.
That was part of a global trend.
Climate change is an important part of the inflationary puzzle, she said.
In February of 2021, Winter Storm Uri slammed Texas, causing adeadly energy crisis statewide.
It also causedwidespread shutdowns at oil refineriesthat account for nearly three-quarters of U.S chemical production.
Though overall inflation has cooled considerably since then, the economic pressures extreme weather places on food costs persist.
Persistent climate shocks have eventriggered an enormous increase in the cost of home insurance premiums.
The era of relatively low and stable prices is over, she said.
Costs have been rising due to climate change.
Its the new normal.
Thats bad news for families like the Bishops, who are simply trying to get by.
This article originally appeared inGristathttps://grist.org/economics/dont-blame-biden-for-inflation-blame-the-climate/.
Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future.
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