Climate change isn't just an environmental problem. The climate is inextricably linked to nearly everything we do as a society. It's already starting to have an impact on businesses around the world, and it will continue to have an even larger effect moving forward. 

1) Increased Risk Due to Extreme Weather
In the coming years, we will likely see more events that disrupt the operations of businesses and cause them extreme financial and physical damage. Severe weather is a primary reason that climate change increases risk for businesses. Because of this increased risk, insurance costs for many companies will rise as well.

2)Changes in Resource Availability and Cost
These extreme weather events have the potential to disrupt supply chains making getting the resources and materials businesses need more challenging. Severe drought and weather pattern changes may cause a shortage of crops used for food, apparel and other products. Rising electricity and transportation expenses may also increase the cost of moving goods. Regulatory restrictions on goods linked to climate change could also increase costs. Resource scarcity could drive companies to use alternative materials and recycle more waste.

3) Changing Demand
As the climate changes, demand will shift. As global temperatures rise, for instance, demand for heating oil will decline — as will demand for other winter goods. More consumers are also prioritizing sustainability in the products they buy, shifting demand toward more environmentally friendly goods.

4)Harsher Working Conditions
As temperatures rise and weather patterns change, working conditions in some sectors may become harsher. Jobs that require physical labor, especially outdoors, will become more challenging, and health and safety risk in these industries will rise. This will increases costs in these sectors.

5)Changing Regulations
Regulations aimed at mitigating and preventing pollution will also significantly impact businesses. Companies that produce high levels of emissions will have to invest substantial funding into upgrading their facilities to reduce, capture or eliminate them. Energy companies, of course, are already working to shift their power generation toward cleaner resources.