If there is an evidence for us to action in the fight for a carbon neutral planet, the new report released by the Australian Parliament, titled Managing Our Coastal Zone in a Changing Climate , give us just take.
The report is claiming that there is a possibility of the oceanic levels being raised up by 31 inches in the near future. This concerns all of us, this is not just a regional problem, but something that we will start to see the effects of, along with Australia.
According to the BBC.co.uk, about 80% of the entire Australian population lives on the coasts, and are the host of the biggest cities in the country.
More after the Fold:
What is at stake:
The coastal region of Australia is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. From the beautiful beaches, to the amazing Great Barrier Reef, the oceanic regions of Australia are considered one of the top beaches to visit.
It is also the metro center for Australia, with around 80% (Around 16,805,848 people out of 21,007,310) of the population living at or near the main concern areas.
It is predicted that some 711,000 homes and businesses, would be vulnerable if the oceanic tides raises to 80cm (31 Inches) by 2100. The total cost would be around AUS$ 150Bn (Around $137.2 Billion US) in property damage, with an untold amount of lives lost.
List of buildings at risk, by city, From the BBC.co.uk:
- Queensland: 250,000 buildings at risk
- New South Wales: 200,000 buildings at risk
- Western Australia: 94,000 buildings at risk
- Victoria: 80,000 buildings at risk
- South Australia: 60,000 buildings at risk
- Northern Territory: 900 buildings at risk
- Tasmania: 20% of coastline at risk
The report, issued by the House Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts., gave 47 possibly resolutions to fix the problem, ranging from a national coastline plan and greater co-operation between different authorities to a revised building code to cope with storm surges and soil erosion. [According to BBC.co.uk].
Should they force people to move inland?:
[The report] does not say the government should force people to move inland but proposes that an independent group look into whether the government could - and should - do just that.
There is some concern that there will have to be a complete removal of all people and businesses from the possible affected areas, in an effort to save them.
The idea is being rejected (Along with the entire report), by the Conservative Liberal-National coalition, which has stood in the way of the proposed climate change bill, which ended up being rejected.
Doing nothing will cost Australia:
The prime minister, Kevin Rudd, said the report was a reminder that "Australia has more to lose through continued inaction on climate change" than most other countries. "The real cost for Australia of continued inaction on climate change is deep and enduring and damaging to our economy and damaging to the nation's environment," Rudd said.
There are several skirmishes breaking out between local residences and local councils on the issue of the beach corrosion.
On the far north coast of New South Wales, the state government has intervened to allow residents in the Byron shire council to build seal walls to protect their homes from rising sea levels. A similar battle is being waged further south at Taree. Meanwhile insurance companies are refusing to insure properties in seaside towns.
Just like here, there is a party willing to stand in the way of progress, and in the way of conservationism. That party in Australia is the Liberal-National coalition.
Don't let the name fool you, they are very conservative, and have already voted down the proposed carbon emissions trading bill, introduced by PM Rudd. And now, they are planning to block any proposals that may come up in light of this report.
Liberal MP Tony Abbott, a senior member of the coalition and leadership contender, said there was no reason for alarm. "When it comes to rising sea levels I'm alert but I can't say that I'm particularly alarmed. The fact is that sea levels have risen along the NSW coast by more than 20cm over the last century. Has anyone noticed it? No they haven't. Obviously an 80cm rise in sea levels would be more serious but I'm confident that we have the resources to cope," Abbott told ABC news
This wait and see tactic, will not help Australians be able to cope with a global warming induced national disaster, and will not help them in ways of reducing their carbon emissions, in an effort to off set the possible flooding caused by the raising of oceanic levels.
The beaches can be lost, forever:
If there is not an effort, a Global effort, to offset our harmful use of carbon emissions, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, will be lost forever. Along with the most notable coral reef on the planet, the Great Barrier Reef.
The people of Australia is concerned, not only for their home, but for their lives, and we should be too.
If this can happen there, and it can happen here. Our coastal regions might be under the same path to destruction as the Australian coasts are.
So I say before we lose this:
Let's lose this: