Australia is expected to experience more frequent and intense climate-related disasters, often occurring at the same time, placing significant strain on industries, public services, and infrastructure, according to a new government report released ahead of an updated emissions target, reports RTE.
The report—Australia’s most thorough evaluation of the climate-related threats facing the country—warns that heatwaves will become more common and deadlier, sea level rise will threaten millions, and ecosystems will be forced to adapt, relocate, or face extinction.
Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen highlighted that remote regions, the north of the country, and the outer suburbs of large cities will be among the hardest hit, reports RTE.
“No Australian community will be immune from climate risks that will be cascading, compounding and concurrent,” he said, reports RTE.
“Australians are already living with the consequences of climate change today, but it’s clear every degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations avoid the worst impacts in years to come,” reports RTE.
Australia currently targets a 43% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, with the goal of reaching net-zero by 2050. Mr Bowen confirmed a new “ambitious and achievable” target for 2035 would be released soon.
The previous conservative government was widely criticised by environmental groups for lacking action on climate, and renewable energy efforts continue to face resistance from communities, some politicians, and media outlets, reports RTE.
Opposition deputy leader Sussan Ley agreed that emissions should be reduced but cautioned against extreme messaging or policies that negatively affect households and businesses.
“Any (emissions reduction) target must pass two simple tests: it must be credible, and it must be upfront about the cost to households and small businesses,” she said in a statement, reports RTE.
Despite its climate ambitions, Australia remains a key global supplier of coal and natural gas. Just last week, approval was granted for the country’s second-largest liquefied natural gas facility to operate through to 2070.
The report notes that Australia’s average temperature is already 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels. If global warming reaches 3°C, the number of extreme heatwave days could rise from four to 18 annually, while marine heatwaves could extend from 18 to nearly 200 days, reports RTE.
In that scenario, heatwave-related deaths in Sydney could jump by 444%, and some marine species and forests could vanish entirely.
With 3°C of warming, sea levels are projected to rise another 54 cm by 2090. This would cause saltwater to infiltrate freshwater supplies and expose over three million people in coastal towns and cities to severe flood risk, reports RTE.
Such warming would also place intense strain on healthcare and emergency response systems, drive up rebuilding costs, lower property values, reduce crop production, and place added stress on livestock, according to the report.
To address these risks, the government also released a national adaptation strategy, which Mr Bowen said would shape the country’s response to the report’s findings.
“Our whole country has a lot at stake,” he said, reports RTE.
“This report is a reminder, if we needed one, that the cost of inaction will always outweigh the cost of action,” reports RTE.
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