"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change." - Charles Robert Darwin
Regardless of how quickly they are implemented, the mitigation measures required to meet our Bali obligations will not provide immediate relief from the effects of climate change.
Adaptation holds the key to how our community, business, personal and natural assets will be able to survive increasingly extreme climatic events in the interim - but we need to act now to minimise the extent of the potential losses that lie in front of us.
The Facts
- Since the industrial revolution, we have been emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a greater rate than it can be removed by the earth's natural processes
- Present emissions are already trending above the 500 parts per million seen by many scientists as the trigger for extreme climatic change
- Carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere can maintain its effect on climate for up to a century
- We still need to develop and put into place mitigation measures, with actions that address how we live within a changed climate
One of the issues
With around 80% of Australians living within 50 kilometres of the coast, flooding and storm surges, as well as management of the coastal fringe are key issues.
- How would we deal with an increase in sea levels and flooding?
- Would we retreat from the coastline and abandon stranded assets, as planned in Norfolk, UK, or would we try to engineer solutions that might allow people to live below the sea level?
- Would there be compensation for landowners whose assets were swallowed up as a result of a retreat and abandon policy or would assets below the sea level be able to be insured?
- Irrespective of what we choose to do, what would be the most equitable way of funding the solution?
Coast villages to be sacrificed to the sea
Flooding could destroy Norfolk villages
Many coastal councils are starting to think about how to deal with this issue, however, failure to develop a ‘big picture’ holistic suite of actions, the inability to deal with significant public assets that are vital to Australia (e.g. port facilities), or a lack of recognition of the consequences flowing from the loss of natural resources, such as mangroves, saltmarsh etc., could pose a number of foreseeable problems.
Is this task therefore better suited to the Council of Australian Governments? How can we be sure it will be effectively tailored to local actions and deliverables? In some situations it may be appropriate to do nothing but in other cases, flood barriers may be necessary such as in the River Thames, London, whereas seawalls or dikes such as in The Netherlands may be more appropriate. We need to start thinking about how people will want to be living at the end of this century.
Another issue
While it is easy to be 'coast centric', it must also be remembered that the majority of Australia's land mass will be subject to changes in water availability that will affect agricultural production, human settlement patterns and the use of water for power generation, industry and mining. Changed rainfall patterns are also likely to result in changed groundwater conditions, affecting the availability of bore water and possibly causing salinity impacts on vegetation and constructed assets. Not only will we need to be innovative about how infrastructure is designed, built and managed in the future, we will undoubtedly need to reconsider the mechanisms for providing adequate and equitable access to the required quantity and quality of this fundamental building block of our society.
CSIRO Adapting agriculture to climate change
Australia's Settlements and Infrastructure - Impacts of Climate Change
And another issue
Climatic changes are likely to result in greater rainfall in the north of Australia with less rainfall in the south, together with an overall increase in temperatures. Bio zones will change. Species will migrate north and south in order to survive or may evolve, 'Darwin like', to adapt to changed conditions. We are also likely to see changes in biosecurity as pests and diseases that have adapted to certain climes also move to new areas where they have a competitive advantage. Whilst the idea of plants and animals embarking on a long march might seem like something out of a science fiction novel, it might be appropriate to start thinking about embellishing our existing reserve system to create a continuous north-south 'BioArk' styled land corridor to help nature do what it does so well - adapt to change.
Trend maps - Australian Climate Variability and Change
Climate Change in Australia
We will be focussing on specific adaptation and mitigation issues, such as the ones introduced here, in subsequent eZines, to assist you and your business understand the complexity of this issue and how you might manage your way through it.
Should you want to know more or speak with someone about the realities and survival requirements of this environmental tsunami, then please contact Michael England on 02 8484 8989.
Other links
Garnaut Climate Change Review Reports and Papers
Europa - European Environment
Adapting to Climate Change
 |
have your s@y If you would like to comment on any of our articles, or become an expert contributor on environmental management issues, we would welcome your feedback ...Find out more |
Edition 3
About ENSR
ENSR is a leading global environmental firm serving industrial clients and government agencies with 2,600 employees from 90 worldwide offices. ENSR Australia serves clients from nine locations throughout the country. Providing comprehensive consulting, engineering, remediation, and environmental health and safety (EHS) management and sustainability solutions, ENSR is the recipient of numerous industry, client EHS, business achievement and organizational innovation awards. Founded in 1968, ENSR is part of the AECOM family of companies. For more information, please visit: www.ensr.aecom.com
About AECOM
AECOM (NYSE: ACM) is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental and energy. With more than 35,000 employees around the world, AECOM is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering solutions that enhance and sustain the world's built, natural and social environments. AECOM serves clients in more than 60 countries and had revenue of $4.2 billion during fiscal year 2007. More information on AECOM and its services can be found at www.aecom.com
ENSR Australia
Level 5, 828 Pacific Highway
GORDON NSW 2072
PO Box 726 Pymble NSW 2073
T +61 2 8484 8999
F +61 2 8484 8989 http://www.ensr.com.au
Forward this newsletter
to friends and colleagues
Click here
© Copyright ENSR Australia Pty Ltd | Privacy policy
