New York (BBN)-2014 was just revealed to be the hottest year ever. Climate change is horrifying for the human race – but these industries are poised profit.
ARCTIC SHIPPING
Melting ice at the North Pole is allowing for summertime trips along the “northern sea route” along the Arctic Circle.
By heading north, corporations like Nordic Bulk Carriers that send goods by sea between East Asia and Western Europe are saving upwards of $500,000 per trip.
It’s shorter than the 11,000 mile trip across the Indian Ocean and Egypt’s Suez Canal – and you avoid Somali pirates too, report CNN.
And because there are still some patches of six-foot-thick ice, shipping tankers need to be accompanied by massive, nuclear-powered Russian icebreakers.
More shipping means extra business for companies like Rosatom.
AGRICULTURAL BIOTECH
Prolonged droughts and frosts ruin regular crops. That means extra business for companies that protect agriculture.
Monsanto (MON) makes genetically-modified seeds that can better withstand lack of water or fierce weather.
Chemical company BASF makes fungicides and seed coating for more resilient plants. This isn’t for the Whole Foods, organic-only crowd. Think survivalist sci-fi.
OIL AND GAS
Melting ice at the Arctic is also making it easier for oil exploration and drilling. Several major projects are already underway, and nations are racing to claim stakes to land.
Russian oil companies like Rosneft and Gazprom Neft are major players, but so are Shell (RDSA) and Exxon Mobil (XOM).
CONSTRUCTION
Worse weather disasters – think Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy – mean a need for reconstruction. Plus, environmental laws bring mandates for “greener” buildings. These will put builders and architects to work.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT PRODUCT
As global warming puts pressure on governments to enact energy-efficiency laws, makers of those products will be clear winners.
Daikin Industries (DKILY) makes energy-efficient air conditioners. United Technologies (UTX) makes insulation for buildings to keep them cooler (or warmer) on their own. Covanta (CVA) makes energy-from-waste facilities.
ADAPT-TO-SURVIVE PRODUCTS
This is Britain’s first ever mainland desalination plant, the Thames Gateway Water Treatment Works.
If things get worse, companies that prepare you for the worst will win out. This is a long-term play.
Independent generators keep the lights on if a storm knocks out power. Industrial snow makers will help ski resorts make up for the melting slopes. And giant water desalinization plants will produce fresh water if you’re stuck with the salty kind.
BBN/SK/ANS-18 Jan15-3:00pm (BST)