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Australia’s Coastal Zones include:
 Over 80% of Australia’s Population and 7 major
cities
 Globally significant ecosystems
 Top Tourist Destinations and World Heritage
Sites
Source: Vulnerability to Climate Change of Australia’s Coastal Zone: Analysis of gaps in methods, data and system thresholds (Ed; M. Voice, N. Harvey and K. Walsh, 2006,
Australian Government Publication)
Climate Change Evidence
Sea-Level Rise
Altered Wave Climate
Altered Rainfall & Runoff
Direct Landscape and Ecosystem Impacts
Increased Coastal Erosion
(degradation)
Increased Risk of Flooding and
Storm Damage
Potential Secondary or Indirect Impacts
Infrastructure and Economic
activity impacted
Displacement of populations
Department of Climate Change: Coastal Impacts http://www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/coasts.html
Extreme Events
e.g. Flooding
Ecosystem Damage
e.g. Coral Bleaching
CSIRO Impacts of Climate Change http://www.cmar.csiro.au/sealevel/sl_impacts_climate.html
Department of Climate Change: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/science/hottopics/pubs/topic8.pdf
CSIRO Science of Climate Change: http://www.csiro.au/science/the-science-of-climate-change--ci_pageNo-4.html

Social:
◦ 20,000 people isolated or
homeless

Financial:
◦ Damages of $39 million

Will societies be prepared for
the future impacts of climate
change?
ABC News – Flood Evacuation ordered for Kempsey: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/23/2578874.htm