Why don’t we panic about climate change like we do coronavirus?

Because “outbreak” and “pandemic” and any of a dozen high-stakes words accompany dispatches about the deadly novel coronavirus, it’s not surprising — nor even ill-advised — that the news media and financial markets respond with alarm to COVID-19.

Still, the critical response leaves scientists, environmental advocates and long-view money managers imploring: Where’s the outrage on any given day for pollution- and temperature-linked deaths (already adding up and projected to increase) from accelerating man-made climate change?

Where’s the impetus for moving on policy change and market-driven fixes (solutions to store carbon,...