One and a half million Australians living in coastal areas are at risk from rising sea levels by 2050, a landmark climate report has warned.
Australia's first National Climate Risk Assessment predicted more frequent and severe climate hazards like floods, cyclones, heatwaves, droughts, and bushfires.
Australians are already living with the consequences of climate change today, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said, but it's clear every degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations avoid the worst impacts in years to come.
The report looked at three global warming scenarios - above 1.5C, above 2C, and above 3C.
Australia - one of the world's biggest polluters per capita - has already reached warming of above 1.5C, the report stated, noting that at 3C, heat-related deaths in Sydney could rise by more than 400% and nearly triple in Melbourne.
The 72-page report - released shortly before the government announces its emissions reduction targets for 2035 - concluded that no Australian community would be immune from climate risks that will be cascading, compounding, and concurrent.
The report warned of more heatwave-related deaths, poorer water quality due to severe flooding and bushfires, and a potential drop in property values by A$611 billion ($406 billion; £300 billion).
By 2050, the number of coastal communities located in high and very high risk areas in Australia is expected to increase, putting over 1.5 million people at risk if population levels remain stable.
Areas in northern Australia, along with remote communities and the outer suburbs of major cities, are particularly at risk, the report indicated.
This will put pressure on health, critical infrastructure, natural species and ecosystems, and primary industries, the report warned, complicating the efforts of emergency responders.
The report also found that coral reefs such as the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland will face higher risks of bleaching and biodiversity loss due to warmer oceans.
One thing that is very clear from this climate assessment is that our whole country has a lot at stake, Bowen said. The cost of inaction will always outweigh the cost of action.
In response to the report, the government released a national adaptation plan detailing how federal, state, and local governments can work together to tackle climate issues.
Australia has pledged to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030 but is criticized for its continued heavy reliance on fossil fuels. Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie stated that the report's findings were alarming and urged the government to adopt more ambitious emissions cuts.
The longer we delay the deep and sustained cuts to climate pollution we need, the harder it becomes to protect communities from escalating heatwaves, floods, and bushfire weather, she asserted.
