Climate Change Impacts on Australia

This assignment focuses on analyzing the impacts of climate change in Australia. It requires a close examination of provided reports and studies from reputable sources such as CSIRO, OECD, and Australian Government publications. The analysis delves into various facets of climate change's influence, including environmental changes, health risks, economic vulnerabilities, and adaptation strategies.

Australia’s Climate change and its impact
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Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Projected climate change.............................................................................................................................2
Climate variation in States of Australia.......................................................................................................3
Climate change impacts in Melbourne........................................................................................................5
Human health V/s climatic change..............................................................................................................5
Climate projections......................................................................................................................................6
Projections based on geographical factors...................................................................................................7
Managing Climate change...........................................................................................................................9
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................10
References.................................................................................................................................................11
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Introduction
Human beings have been adjusting to the unpredictable climate around them for
centuriesClimate changes that are presently taking place these days includes rising temperatures,
changing rainfall patterns,sea level rise and ocean acidification.Moreover, climate change is
expected due to increase in greenhouse gas emissions.Rising ocean temperatures cause thermal
increase of the oceans and in combination with melt water from land-based ice this is generating
sea level rise. Climate research is vital in our efforts tomeasure future risks and opportunities
slow the enduring emissions and adapt to the impactsassociated with a warmer world.Changes to
the weather will have significant impacts on water resources, infrastructure,health,fisheries
agriculture, biodiversity and coasts.Efficientdischargediminution efforts and weather change
adaptation mutually will bring important social, environmental benefits with less economic risks;
innovative opportunities can be exploited; and new thinking about climate flexibility will
stimulate improvement.
Ever growing human needs has been a primary factor affecting climate change. Exponential
increase in greenhouse gases and aerosol attentivenesstriggered by human activities. Further,
human intervention has also led to the warm atmosphere and the ocean, thereby ensuing in
intense climatic conditions, rise in global mean sea level due to fast melting of glaciers and
reduction in quantum of ice and snow.
Projected climate change
Considering the existing pace of greenhouse gas emission, various studies reveal alarming
increase in global temperature to the extent of 1.5 °C by 2030, 2.5°C by 2050 and 4.5 °C by
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2100subsequently leading to rise in mean sea level by 0.26m, 0.40m and 0.55 m respectively.
The climatic imbalance may be catastrophic and at projected rate may result in following:
1. Extreme and extended heat waves.
2. Extreme and more recurrenttremendous rainfall over most of the mid-latitude land masses
and over wet, humid regions (Review, 2014).
Climate variation in States of Australia
Melbourne
Temperature: During the last fifty years, the maximum subsurface temperature of Melbourne has
risen by around 0.81 °C and minimum temperature by 1.78 °C in comparison to the similar
increase in value for the entire twentieth century. The number of colder months has drastically
fallen down; heat waves have intensified breaking all-time records. The instances of wildfires
have increased worryingly (McKie, 2013).
Rainfall: The atmospheric changes have led to irregular patterns of rainfall all over the
Melbourne. Southern and eastern Australia have seen decreases in annual average rainfall over
the second half of the previous century. The average annual rainfall in Melbourne is below 600
mm which may vary from -8% to 3%.
Sea level rise: Mean sea level will continue to rise within the range of 0.07 meters to 0.16
meters.
Sydney
Temperature: The region will experience a warming of around 0.8 °C increasing to about 1.9 °C
This is likely to be partly due to creature behavior. There will be an increase in the high
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temperature days as projected. Warmer and drier climate is projected in Sydney to increase in
evaporation, heat waves, fire risk and extreme winds
Rainfall: Average annual rainfall in Sydney is 1094 mm which in the future is to vary from
-13% to 7 %. Winter rainfall will decrease with the increase in intensity of rain.
Sea level rise: Mean sea level will continue to increase within the range of 0.09 meters to 0.18
meters.
Darwin
Temperature: Darwin has a humid climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The average
temperature will be increasing in all the seasons and it may vary around 0.6 °C which can further
increase to 1.5 °C.
Rainfall: Average annual rainfall in Darwin is 1728 mm which in the future may vary from -11%
to 6%. Rainfall will increase with increased intensity.
Sea level rise: Mean sea level will continue to increase within the range of 0.08 meters to 0.16
meters.
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Climate change impacts in Melbourne
The climate change impacts are as listed below:
1. Loss of biodiversity and integrity of local ecosystems.
2. Potential increase in invasive species.
3. Loss of significant vegetation.
4. Loss or degradation of passive recreation areas.
5. Change in composition of local ecosystems.
Human health V/s climatic change
Climate change is expected to influence the health of Australians over this century in numerous
ways. Severalimpacts, such as heatwaves, would maneuverstraightly. Rest would occur
circuitously through the turbulence of natural ecological systems, such as mosquito population
range and activity(Hanna, et al., 2011). Most health impacts will impose unevenly across
regions, demographic subgroups and communities, reflecting differences in location, socio-
economiccircumstances, preparedness, infrastructure and institutional resources, and local
preventive strategies(Edwards, 2010). The unfavorable fitness impacts of weather change will be
highest among the people who have lower incomes, the aged and the unwell. People who do not
have access to good and well-resourced accommodation will be at a disadvantage.
The major health risks in Melbourne comprise of:
 Impacts on brutal climate conditions (floods, storms, cyclones, bushfires)
 Impacts of temperature limits which include heat waves(CSIRO, 2017).
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 Food-borne communicable diseases (counting those due to Salmonella
andCampylobacter)
 Water-borne contagious diseases and fitness risks from deprived water quality(Milman &
Davey, 2015).
 Moderate food production and elevated prices, with nutritional cost
 Expansion in air pollution (for example, from bushfire smoke)
 Changes in production of spores, potentially exaggerate asthma and other allergic
respiratory diseases (Pert, et al., 2010).
 Psychological health consequences and the arousing cost of communal, economic and
demographic disruption.
Climate projections
Projections with respect to climate changes are largely dependent on patterns observed over a
specific duration of time. The detailed study widely includes the ever changing demography,
economic and technological advancements and growing human needs. Climate variation in
relation to future predictions depends on under mentioned factors:
1. Natural climate variability: The climate varies with each passing year, primarily due to
various natural variables viz. El Nino southern oscillation, volcanic eruptions and
variation because of sun’s orbit(McMichael, 2009).
2. Greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions: RCPs (Representative Concentration Pathways)
are used to calculate Greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions. The RCPnumber signifies
the extraradiative impact on the climate system or the concentration of CO2 in the
environment(Koperberg & Firth, 2008). Though, the variation in RCP is minor up
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to2025, the value is snowballing thereafter. The significance of value of RCP can be
tabulated as below:
Ser RCP (High/ Medium/
Low)
Remarks
(a) 8.5 High Minor action required to reduce greenhouse emissions.
(b) 4.5 Medium Major global action required to reduce emissions.
(c) 2.5 Low Wide spread and concentrated effort to reduce emissions.
Projections based on geographical factors
Being one of the largest country in the world, with the wide spread time zone, the climatic
conditions are bound to vary remarkably. The projected climatic changes with respect to the
previous and the present century on various geographical landmarks of Australia are as tabulated
below:
Darwin
(Northern)
Melbourne
(South)
Sydney
(South Eastern)
Yearly temp.(°C) 2.7-4.9 2.7 to 4.2 2.8 to 5
Sea level Rise 0.41-0.85 cm 0.37 to 0.81 cm .45 to .89
Rainfall per year(%) -26 to 23 -26 to 4 -25 to 11
Summer rainfall(%) -24 to 28 -13 to 16 -16 to 27
Winter rainfall(%) -30 to 26 -25 to 13 -33 to 27
Autumn rainfall (%) -48 to 46 -31 to -1 -39 to 7
Spring rainfall(%) -44 to 43 -44 to -2 -40 to 8
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The aftermath of climatic imbalance on various Australian states/ territories could be as
appended below:
Northern Territory: 90 percent of the Kakadu wetland system will be adversely affected by Sea
level rise of 18–59 cm.The number of annual temperature related deaths is expected to increase
almost sevenfold(CSIRO, 2001).
Queensland: The Great Barrier Reef will no longer be subjugated by corals or acquire many of
the organisms we recognize today. The number of deaths caused by the increase or decrease in
temperature in a year is expected to triple, from 1747 in a world without climate change to
5878.Queensland’s coastal settlements are predictable to suffer tremendous infrastructure
impacts from enlarged storm surge and localized flash flooding.
Western Australia: Over the course of the century, constant diminution in water availability
will escort to raise the cost of mining activity and temporary cutbacks in production(Australian
Government, 2017). Nearly 34 percent of supplementary capital expenditure will be needed to
provide substitute water supplies.
New South Wales: The number of yearly temperature-related deaths are expected to decrease
by30 per cent. Irrigated agricultural production in the Murray-Darling Basin falls by 92 per cent.
South Australia: The state will face a 33 percent turn down in livestock productivity. 44
percent reduction will be faced by Australian wine industry in the appropriaterising area by mid-
century. Quality of grape will also reduce.
Victoria:Nearly 25percent of state wheat production may fall.More than 50 percent of
surroundings of Eucalypt variety will be lost Australia-wide.
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Tasmania: Right through the century global warming has the advantageous effect of reducing
yearly cold-related deaths. Increased breeze and rainstorm events will reduce the number of Bass
Strait sailings, affecting trade(Dominiak & Simpson, 2013).
Australian Capital Territory: The number of yearly temperature-related deaths in the
Australian Capital Territory is estimated to decrease by 25 per cent. About 17 per cent
supplementary capital expenditure will be needed to provide substitute water supplies.
Managing Climate change
Climate change can be managed by two important factors:
1. Mitigation: It means lessening the emissions to edge the extent of climate change. It can
be achieved by augmenting energy efficiency, larger use of renewable energy, upgraded
manufacturing processes, greater use of sustainable transport and enhanced carbon
uptake.
2. Adaptation: It involves the gradual transformation at smaller intervals or major
transformation with swift change. It can be achieved by the means of following:
(a) Engineering solutions include sea wall and coastal protection structures
(b) Institutional solutions involve National, regional and local adaptation plans, Insurance
and education(Hopkins, et al., 2013).
(c) Technological solutions include advanced building techniques, agriculture management
and disaster risk reduction.
(d) Ecosystem based solutions involves conservation and re-plantation of mangroves,
preservation of fisheries and reduction of existing ecosystem stressors (Jones, 2003).
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Conclusion
Climate change is the significant concern of our times. It is, perhaps, one of the greatest chores to
sustainable development. It should be pontificated by all the countries with a collective outlook,
free from narrow and intolerant considerations. The developed countries need to look ahead of
their slender self-interests and should work jointly with the budding countries to evolve
supportive and collective strategies on the issue of climate change, which is of enormous
relevance for the future of mankind. However, the efforts so far in the direction of meeting the
challenges of climate change have been infrequent and illogical. We immediately need a new
economic prototype, which is global, comprehensive, cooperative, accommodative,
environmentally sensitive and above all scientific. According to Jeffrey Sachs,a perceptive
commentator, “The world’s current ecological, demographic and economic trajectory is
unsustainable, meaning that if we continue with “business as usual” we will hit social and
biological crises with disastrous results”. Sustainable development based on addressing the needs
of the poor and the finest harnessing of inadequate resources of water, air, energy, land, and
biodiversity will have to be constant through more cooperative endeavors’. Alone, then, we
could make some headway in saving our lone planet from the verge of climate disasters.
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References
Australian Government, 2017. Assessment of Australia's Terrestrial Biodiversity 2008. [Online]
Available at: https://environment.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/assessment-australias-
terrestrial-biodiversity-2008
CSIRO, 2001. Climate Projections for Australia, Available at:
http://www.cffet.net/esd/ESD3_projections.pdf
CSIRO, 2017. CSIRO, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation,
Available at: http://www.australia.gov.au/directories/australia/csiro
Department of Environment and Energy, 2016. Global climate change: Australia's changing
climate: CSIRO, Available at:
https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/media/ccia/2.1.6/cms_page_media/176/
AUSTRALIAS_CHANGING_CLIMATE_1.pdf
Dominiak, B. & Simpson, M., 2013. The effect of climate change on the geographical
distribution of Queensland fruit fly in Australia, Available at:
https://www.cherrygrowers.org.au/assets/PASE_Climate_change_and_QFF_distribution.pdf
Edwards, M., 2010. Security Implications of a Worst-case Scenario of Climate Change in the
South-west Pacific. Australian Geographer journal, 30(3), pp. 311-330.
Hanna, E., Harley, D. & Xu, C., 2011. Overview of Climate Change Impacts on Human Health
in the Pacific Region: Commonwealth Of Australia, Available at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/913ce469-d94f-47b0-9db9-
40b051a6d896/files/overview-climate-change-impacts-human-health-pacific-region.pdf
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Hopkins, D., Higham, J. & Becken, S., 2013. Climate change in a regional context: relative
vulnerability in the Australasian skier market. Regional Environmental Change, April, 13(2), p.
449–458.
Jones, R., 2003. OECD Workshop on the Benefits of Climate Policy: Improving Information for
Policy Makers: OECD, Available at: http://www.oecd.org/env/cc/19519189.pdf
Koperberg, P. & Firth, V., 2008. NSW Biodiversity and Climate Change Adaptation Framework,
Available at:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/threatenedspecies/0762biodivccadapt.pdf
McMichael, A., 2009. Climate Change in Australia: Risks to Human Wellbeing and Health,
Available at: http://nautilus.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/australia-health2.pdf
McKie, R., 2013. Climate change: IPCC cites global temperature rise over last century,
Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/21/climate-change-ipcc-fossil-
temperature
Milman, O. & Davey, M., 2015. Climate change will significantly affect Australians’ health,
report finds., Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/29/climate-
change-will-significantly-affect-australians-health-report-finds
Pert, P., Hill, R. & Williams, K., 2010. Scenarios for Community-based Approaches to
Biodiversity Conservation: a case study from the Wet Tropics, Queensland, Australia. Australian
Geographer journal, 41(3), pp. 285-306.
Review, T. G. C. C., 2014. Climate change impacts on Australia, Available at:
http://www.garnautreview.org.au/pdf/Garnaut_Chapter6.pdf
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