Rising sea levels and flooding caused by climate change will threaten the homes and livelihoods of over one million Australians by 2050, a report warned on Monday.
The National Climate Risk Assessment stated that heat-related illnesses will also increase significantly. Australia will experience more frequent and extreme climate events, which will put pressure on industry, services, and infrastructure.
The report revealed that rising temperatures will have “cascading, compounding, concurrent” impacts on life in the country that is home to some 27 million people.
“Climate change is now a live reality, and it’s too late to avoid any impacts,” said Climate Minister Chris Bowen.
The report found that 1.5 million people living in coastal areas will be at risk of sea level rise and coastal flooding by 2050. By 2090, around three million people will be at risk.
“Every degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations avoid the worst impacts in years to come,” said Bowen. Australia has set a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 43% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The government will soon announce an “ambitious and achievable” emissions reduction target for 2035.
(Edited by Karl Sexton)
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/australia-climate-report-reveals-rising-oceans-threat/a-73993231?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
