Which statement best explains why delaying action on climate change can damage economic sustainability?

Correct answer: D) Delay tends to increase the eventual costs of adaptation and of a faster, more disruptive transition, and raises the risk of assets losing value before the end of their expected lives

Explanation

The longer action is delayed, the greater the physical damage that must be adapted to and the sharper the policy changes needed later, both of which raise costs. A sudden transition can leave carbon-intensive assets stranded, damaging investors and the wider economy. Climate change is not purely environmental, and avoiding investment now does not remove the costs; it defers and usually increases them.