{"id":11337,"date":"2022-03-02T17:54:20","date_gmt":"2022-03-02T06:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rationalemagazine.com\/?p=11337"},"modified":"2022-07-22T00:33:25","modified_gmt":"2022-07-21T14:33:25","slug":"red-alert-on-climate-change-vulnerability-and-adaptation-limitations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rationalemagazine.com\/index.php\/2022\/03\/02\/red-alert-on-climate-change-vulnerability-and-adaptation-limitations\/","title":{"rendered":"Red alert on climate change vulnerability and adaptation limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Projected global warming under current global emissions reduction policies will leave many of our region\u2019s human and natural systems at very high risk, and will put some beyond adaptation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability<\/em>, released on 28 February, follows <\/span>last year\u2019s report that focused on the physical science of climate change<\/span><\/a>, and further emphasises the need for immediate action on global emissions.<\/span><\/p>\n

It comprises 18 chapters representing the efforts of more than 200 scientists in reviewing the latest information about how climate change is affecting natural and human systems, future risks, approaches to adaptation, and links to climate-resilient development.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 11 of the report, of which I was a lead author, explains that exposure to climate trends and extreme events of many natural systems and some human systems, combined with their existing vulnerabilities, have already resulted in major impacts in Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Extreme events such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, storms and bushfires have caused deaths and injuries, and affected many households, communities and businesses at considerable economic cost.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s some of our iconic ecosystems that are at greatest risk from current and future climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n

The greatest risk is for the loss and degradation of coral reefs and associated biodiversity and ecosystem service values in Australia due to ocean warming and marine heatwaves.<\/span><\/p>\n

The three marine heatwaves that occurred between 2016 and 2020 have caused significant bleaching and subsequent loss of corals and associated marine life, and an increased frequency of such events under climate change will exceed the reef\u2019s regenerative capacity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other key regional risks identified include:<\/span><\/p>\n