It is now an established fact that global warming is a reality and that it holds dire consequences for every human being on this planet whether rich or poor. Humanity stands at the beginning of an environmental and consequently a humanitarian crisis. Where we can continue with business as usual or take drastic action and mend our ways.
On that note this study; an iniative of the Australian Green Cross. plans to rate and then rank the preparedness of Australia’s major cities; Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide on how prepared they are to handle the effects of climate change.
Above: How Sydney's Spit Brige may look in 2100. Courtsey of the Sydney Morning Herald (Please click to see properly)
The impacts
Broadly these cities all face the same challenges of climate change;
- A sea level rise of 3-17cm by 2030 and 7-50cm by 2070
- Less frost and snow; more heat waves and fires
- Greater exposure of infrastructure to extreme weather events
- Less annual rainfall over Southern and Eastern Australia
- More frequent and intense droughts
- Increases in intensity of rain, floods, tropical cyclones and storm surges.
Source: CSIRO. 2006. Climate science overview - Brisbane. Andrew Ash
- Most importantly a sea level rise of 1 meter would see 145 million people worldwide directly affected. 90% of these people would be in the Asia pacific region. Even if sea levels don’t rise 1 meter, Australia can expect a significant number of people displaced/affected by climate change on its doorstep!
Source: UNEP. 2006. population area and economy affected by one meter sea level rise
Accessed 12/02/2008 http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/population-area-and-economy-affected-by-a-1-m-sea-level-rise-global-and-regional-estimates-based-on-today-s-situation
What we plan to assess
We want to assess and rank the cities plans and policies to address the effects of climate change listed above.
In addition to policy we want to have a tight focus on the adequacy of each city’s infrastructure to deal with climate change.
For example
- How protected would the city be if sea levels rose?
- How exposed are air ports to extreme weather events?
- What is the capacity of the emergency service infrastructure in the city?
How you can help:
To make this study feasible we need your feedback! Please fill us in on your thoughts on what infrastructure we should be looking at. Or any other thoughts that you have.
Additionally if you know of any sources of information we could use in the assessment please tell us.
Thank you!
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