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Australia is no stranger at disasters like floods, bushfires, droughts, and heatwaves. The problem is, they’re going to get worse. And then worse. These disasters will increase as the global temperature increases. Size, frequency and intensity. We will need to become more adept at adapting to climate change, even as we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Climate adaptation means adapting to the new reality rather than trying to keep it the same. Acceptance is key to adapting to the changes in our environment and climate. There will be more upheavals. If we don’t, we’ll be caught napping by “unprecedented” events which just keep on coming.
Although local and state governments are leading the way on climate adaptation so far, we still have much to do as evident by the worrying lack in preparation for the floods which devastated Lismore.
Jason O’Brien/AAP
Do both: climate adaptation AND emissions reduction
Many people believe climate adaptation to be a red herring that diverts attention and resources away from emissions.
This is simply false. We must. do both. The world has already warmed 1.2℃ since the industrial age began, and is heating up by just under 0.2℃ per decade. There is also an lag between the fossil fuels used today and the extra warming caused by this.
Read more:
Four ways to adapt our behavior to the climate crisis
Climate change is already a reality and will only get worse. We must reduce emissions immediately and help our communities be prepared. The good news? Adaptation is often possible Helps lower emissions, and vice versa.
It can be difficult for people to visualize what climate adaptation looks. Take Lismore, a hard-hit community. Official warnings Did not reachThis Northern Rivers community. These communities were left to rescue themselves after the massive floods. If it hadn’t been for neighbours undertaking rooftop rescues, the death toll Most likelyThey were much higher. Many people have lived in tents or caravans since the disaster and struggled to find affordable housing.
Lismore is required to be prepared for the next floods. You would be a great asset from:
- Use flood-resistant designs and materials to rebuild
- Coordinate community preparations
- Land-swap for high-risk locations.
- better coordination between government agencies
- Get better warnings sooner.
When you really think about the problem, you realize that there is no magic bullet. It is important to plan ahead, rather than scrambling to respond to emergencies as they arise. Preparing and planning can save lives. Cost cutting.
As the Northern Rivers has demonstrated, it is important to draw on the strength of local communities. But it is not enough. Movements like Resilient Byron Resilient LismoreDemonstrate how communities can be assisted by locally-led adaptation. They could do even more with long-term support and investments.
James Gourley/AAP
What have we accomplished so far?
The knowledge we already have about surviving in the world’s most arid inhabited continent is a start. First Nations communities have a sophisticated understanding about caring for country. Australian farmers are some of the best. climate-risk managersAfter a global search, rocky start.
Most government-led climate adaptation has been done at the state and local levels. Innovative approaches have come from local governments like a council-led land-swapto permanently get people out of floodplains in Lockyer Valley. Victoria’s state government has a climate adaptation ProgramQueensland has provided assistance to the natural resource sector in preparing for the future. strategylocal governments to identify the most serious risks to coastal areas, and plan for adaptation.
These are good steps, but we must do more on a national scale. We seem to be moving backwards in this area. 2007 was a good year for the federal government. It was a large investmentClimate adaptation, but these initiatives were gradually dismantled after 2013. Disaster spending today is focused on recovery and not preparation. That might not be a bad thing. Politically rewardingIt is also extremely expensive.
Continue reading:
‘I simply haven’t got it in me to do it again’: imagining a new heart for flood-stricken Lismore
Our current situation on a national level Climate adaptation strategyLacks clear timelines and targets. It also fails to connect the dots between different scenarios for reducing emissions and the levels of adaptation that are required. We hope that the new framework created by the National Reconstruction and Recovery AgencyAdaptation will be more effective.
Dave Hunt/AAP
What does it look like to be well-adapted?
Climate adaptation efforts are a topic where the political parties of both the Liberal and National Parties differ greatly. Climate adaptation is not a major focus of the Liberal Party and National Party policies. Labor has not. disaster preparation policiesThe Greens receive up to A$200million per year in disaster prevention and recovery. most ambitiousWith plans to reduce emissions and increase adaptation through initiatives like making housing more resilient to floods and cyclones.
Climate adaptation pays dividends – regardless of who takes government. Climate adaptation It would be a great way to save!Australia will produce a gross domestic product of A$380 billion over the next 30 year.
Climate adaptation cannot be left to day-to-day politics. We need a strong bipartisan strategy to ensure success. Look to countries like the UK, which has a strong bipartisan strategy. Laws requiringA national climate risk assessment is done every five years. There is also a program for reporting and coordinating adaptation actions across the country.
These measures are supported in Australia. 72% of usWe support the introduction of national climate risk assessments that give state and local governments access and up-to-date information about flood projections, areas most at risk from heatwaves, and expected sea level rise. This would allow us the freedom to adapt in the most effective ways.
Australia also needs a national hub for climate adaptation. This will be a one-stop shop that offers advice to all levels, including communities, governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sectors, on the best adaptation strategies and ways to scale them up.
We must act immediately to make the most of the opportunities that are available to us. We know a great deal about what we’ve set in motion by heating up our planet. We must now prepare for what this means. We have to be prepared. Do it together.
