The rising seas will threaten 1.5 million Australians by 2050, the Climate Landmark Report warns

One and a half million Australians living in the coastal regions are at risk of raising sea level by 2050, warns a remarkable climate report.

The first national climate risk assessment in Australia predicts more frequent and severe climate hazards such as floods, cyclones, heat waves, sushi and shrubs.

“Australians are already living with the effects of climate change today,” said Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, “but it is clear that any degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations to avoid the highest impacts in the coming years.”

The report examined three global warming scenarios – over 1.5C, over 2C and over 3C.

Australia – one of the largest pollutants in the world per capita – He has already reached warming above 1.5 ° C, said in the report, noting that at 3c, death associated with Sydney heat can increase by more than 400% and almost triple in Melbourne.

72 pages Report – published days before the government announces its goals to reduce emissions for 2035 – found that no Australian community would be immunized by the climatic risks that would be “cascading, complex and at the same time”.

He warned of more deaths related to heat wave, the worse water quality due to a severe flood and fires and values ​​of property to reduce by $ 611 billion ($ 406 billion; £ 300 billion).

By 2050, the report found that the number of coastal communities located in “high and very risky regions” in Australia would also increase if the population levels remain at current levels, it will mean that more than 1.5 million people will be at risk.

The areas in Northern Australia, along with the remote communities and the external suburbs of major cities, were particularly at risk, the report said.

“This will put pressure on health, critical infrastructure, natural species and ecosystems and primary industries,” the report warns, as well as causing additional challenges for emergency responses.

The report also found that coral reefs like The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia – both already affected by record -breaking events – will face higher risks of “whitening and losing biodiversity” due to warmer oceans.

“One thing that is very clear from this climate assessment is that our whole country has a lot of bet,” Bowen said. “The price of inaction will always exceed the cost of action.”

In response to the report, the government has released a national adaptation plan that details how federal, state and local authorities can work together to deal with climate issues, according to Bowen.

“We will also set an ambitious and achievable goal of 2035, informed through advice from the independent climate change body,” he said, citing the authority that provides climate policy advice.

Australia has promised to reduce the emissions by 43% by 2030, but has been criticized for its ongoing strong reading of fossil fuels.

The Executive Director of the Climate Council Amanda McKenzi said the report’s findings were horrifying and called on the government to commit to higher shortening of emissions.

“Australia cannot afford a timid 2035 purpose when our own government data show catastrophic inaction costs,” said the non -profit head.

“The longer we slow down the deep and sustainable cuts to climate pollution we need, the more difficult it becomes to protect the communities from the escalation of heat waves, floods and raging times.”