National Climate Risk Assessment Warns Millions Australians Face Sea Level Rise, Extreme Heat by 2050

Australia's first national climate risk assessment reveals that no community will be immune from the severe impacts of climate change, with heat-related deaths potentially surging by over 400% in cities like Sydney under a 3-degree warming scenario. Rising sea levels threaten 1.5 million coastal residents by 2050, particularly in Queensland, with projections reaching more than 3 million by 2090. The report highlights cascading and compounding risks including extreme heatwaves, flooding, and ecosystem challenges, disproportionately affecting northern Australia, remote communities, and outer suburbs of major cities. Economic damages are expected to escalate, with property value losses potentially hitting $611 billion by 2050 and direct costs from natural disasters possibly reaching $40 billion annually. The government has responded with a national adaptation plan and committed to ambitious emissions reduction targets, aiming for net-zero by 2050 and a significant cut by 2035, emphasizing that every degree of warming prevented will mitigate future harms. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen stressed ongoing investments in clean energy and adaptation efforts to build resilience across communities and industries.