A healthier future for our coast
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Why climate change is important and its likely impacts on our beautiful coastal environment.
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its fourth assessment report concluding that:
- warming of the climate system is unequivocal
- humans are very likely the main cause of most of the warming that has been experienced since 1950, and
- it is very likely that changes in the global climate system will continue well into the future, and that they will be larger than those seen in the recent past.
These changes will potentially have major impacts on human and natural systems throughout the world including Australia and, more locally, the Great Ocean Road coast.
The Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008 highlights climate change as a significant issue affecting our coast's future. It predicts that the entire Victorian coastline will be severely impacted by sea level rise and increased frequency and severity of storm events, which will lead to inundation and erosion. Higher temperatures will increase bushfire risk along the coast while marine environments will be affected by rising sea temperatures, changing sea currents and further acidification of the ocean.
The strategy outlines policies and actions to address the issue of how climate change will impact on the coast, which includes planning for sea level rise of not less than 0.8 metres by 2100. Managing and adapting to these impacts and risks presents a number of challenges to those of us who love the coast as we work to improve its overall health and resilience, and to protect vulnerable environments.
Climate change represents a major risk to all the things we love about the Great Ocean Road coast. It is therefore up to all of us to look after the coast by acting to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and doing what we can to minimise the risks climate change poses to the future health of our beautiful coastal environment.