Montana industries have eyes on global climate pact

Win, lose or draw, Montana’s economy has a lot riding on the race to a global climate treaty.

That’s because virtually all of the state’s industries have a big weather factor built in. Wall Street traders and Boeing aircraft builders work indoors all day, but Montana farmers, loggers, coal miners and fishing guides all will see their livelihoods affected by international climate action.

"No one’s really talking about what that might mean for Montana," said Patrick Barkey, director of the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. "Personally, I think if climate change is in motion, we have to plan on it. There’s lots of really smart people thinking about this."

By ROB CHANEY of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_6e19f2c4-dca9-11de-8107-001cc4c03286.html