Australia is facing a future of more frequent, extreme, and overlapping climate disasters that will strain industries, services, and infrastructure nationwide.
This is according to a landmark government risk assessment released on Monday.
The wide-ranging report, described as the most comprehensive study yet of the climate threats confronting the country, concluded that deadly heatwaves will intensify, sea level rise will endanger millions of coastal residents, and ecosystems will be forced to “move, adapt, or die.”
Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the findings highlighted the urgent need for deeper emissions cuts. He warned that northern Australia, remote communities, and the outer suburbs of major cities are particularly vulnerable.
“No Australian community will be immune from climate risks that will be cascading, compounding, and concurrent,” Bowen said in a statement.
“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.”
The report comes ahead of the government’s announcement of a new climate target for 2035. Australia is currently committed to cutting carbon emissions by 43% by 2030, with the long-term goal of reaching net-zero by 2050. Bowen said the updated target would be both “ambitious and achievable.”
While renewable energy projects have gained momentum, they continue to face resistance from local communities, conservative politicians, and sections of the media.
