A groundbreaking National Climate Risk Assessment reveals that 1.5 million Australians living in coastal areas will face serious threats from rising sea levels and increased coastal flooding by 2050.
The report warns of cascading and compounding effects of climate change, including heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather events, which will lead to severe impacts on health, infrastructure, and property values.
By 2090, the number of Australians at risk could double to 3 million. Climate Minister Chris Bowen stressed that climate change is not a future prediction but a present reality demanding urgent action.
The government aims to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with new ambitious targets expected soon. Heat-related deaths could rise dramatically, and economic damages to property are projected in the hundreds of billions of AUD.
The report highlights vulnerabilities among Indigenous communities and remote regions, emphasizing immediate climate response is critical to avoiding the worst outcomes.