National climate risk assessment reveals Australians at risk of losing their homes in 25 years

Millions of Aussies are at risk from losing their home due to rising sea levels, according to a landmark climate report.  

The federal government released the national climate risk assessment on Monday which laid bare the devastating impact of the climate crisis for Australia. 

In a chilling prediction, the report found that by 2050, 1.5million coastal residents would be at risk, rising to more than 3million by 2090. 

The report noted how Australia’s populous coastal communities are at risk from flooding, erosion and inundation.

In Sydney, the assessment found the number of heat-related deaths could rise by almost 450 per cent if global heating surpasses three degrees.

The bombshell report stated no Australian community would be escape the ‘cascading, compounding and concurrent’ risks of climate change.

‘Australians are already living with the consequences of climate change today but it’s clear every degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations avoid the worst impacts in years to come,’ climate change minister, Chris Bowen, said.

‘Australia’s first national climate risk assessment and our national adaptation plan are a roadmap to address the unavoidable impacts of climate change, to build a more resilient country for all communities, regions and industries.’ 

The assessment studied the impact of climate-related hazards on different parts of the community, economy and environment under three global warming scenarios – above 1.5 per cent, above two percent and above three per cent.

Hazards included heatwaves, drought and floods.

The report, developed by the Australian Climate Service and climate change department, noted warming across the continent has already reached 1.5 per cent.

Aussies are set to face huge economic losses in all three scenarios. 

Losses in property value could increase to $611billion by 2050.

This number could rise to a staggering $770billionn by 2090. 

The cost of floods, bushfires, storms and cyclones across the country is estimated to reach up to $40billion a year in 2050, even under the smallest 1.5 degree scenario. 

Public health risks are also set to rise with the report finding ‘significant potential for loss of life and strain on health systems’. 

Under the most extreme three degrees scenario, the number of heat-related deaths in Sydney increases by 444 per cent and by 423 per cent in Darwin. 

‘Extreme heat, floods, bushfires, poor air quality and communicable diseases will escalate health risks,’ the document states.

‘Those with pre-existing health conditions, including mental ill health, are most at risk.

‘This includes the very young and our older populations. People who work outdoors will also be at increased risk.’

‘Sea level rise and increased coastal hazards will significantly impact coastal communities and cities,’ it continues.

‘By 2050, the number of coastal communities located in high and very high risk areas nationally will increase.

‘If populations remained as they are today, this would equate to 1.5 million people living in areas that will experience sea level rise and coastal flooding risks by 2050.’ 

Renew Australia for All – an alliance of more than 77 organisations from across community, environment, and health organisations, said it was time the government delivers solutions that meet the scale of the challenges we are already facing now, and help us better prepare for the future. 

Renew Australia for All Campaign Manager, Sawsan Alfayadh, said: ‘Everyone deserves a safe home, secure work, a strong community, and a ready health system – so we can all survive and thrive through the increased heat, floods, fires and storms fuelled by climate change.

‘The NCRA is a landmark document with the most complex and extensive analysis of the climate risks facing Australia — it acknowledges we are facing cascading, compounding and current hazards, and the importance of “address[ing] underlying disadvantage [to] reduce the impacts of climate change”.’

‘It’s a scary read, but vital in guiding governments to step up with more community, economic and environmental support to address “the adaptation action shortfall”.’