Gold Coast Most At Risk from Sea-Level Rise: New Report
THE GOLD COAST has been identified as the most vulnerable place in Australia to sea-level rise, a new report has found.
"Higher sea levels are contributing to an increase in storm surges. The Gold Coast will cop almost a quarter of Australia's total expected national damages from sea level rise. This is going to be incredibly expensive," said Professor Hussey.
Last year the Gold Coast attracted 12.6 million visitors, contributing $5.7 billion to the local economy, with the main drawcard being its world-famous beaches.
Key Findings:
Queensland is the most vulnerable state in Australia to climate change. It is highly exposed to extreme weather, and has borne 60% of the total economic costs of extreme weather in Australia in the decade from 2007 to 2016.
Queensland has a pivotal role to play in the global climate effort by driving a smooth and just transition to net zero emissions. The burning of fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - must be phased out rapidly to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
There will soon be almost 10,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector in QLD, which is more than any other state or territory.
In dozens of QLD suburbs and towns more than 50% of households now have solar.
There is enormous potential for QLD to benefit from a low carbon economy. Mt Isa, for example, has large deposits of minerals required in the production of technologies such as electric batteries and solar panels.
"Climate change is driving more severe and more extreme weather right across the Sunshine State. Last month, parts of the Gold Coast experienced their hottest July on record for mean maximum temperature," said Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie.
"Things are only going to snowball, unless more is done to tackle climate change and Australia's rising greenhouse gas emissions," she said.
