With greenhouse emissions showing no signs of slowing down, this
facet espouses the increasing need for adaption to climate change. In Australia
we have the means to quantify and respond to forecasted impacts through the
implementation of additional infrastructure e.g. by increasing the height of levees
to reduce flooding. By contrast, the same cannot be said for places such as the
Maldives. Due to the fact that its highest point is 2m above sea level, in a
century, it will be completely underwater at high tide, illustrating how the
impacts of climate change are not evenly distributed around the world. Furthermore,
over the past decade, flooding has contributed to 6000 deaths per year, with
four of the top ten countries in terms of deaths relative to total population
from the Pacific (Samoa, the Philippines, Fiji and Papua New Guinea). As a
consequence, reducing the vulnerability of such societies to climate impacts is
essential if they are to remain sustainable.
Comment, 2014. Inaction on climate change is no laughing
matter. Sydney Morning Herald, 01 April. 14-17.
No comments:
Post a Comment