Today’s headline in Asia turns its focus to Australia, specifically Sydney, where our correspondent Grégory Plesse is reporting.
The New South Wales government recently released a report revealing that Sydney is directly threatened by climate change and rising sea levels.
The report indicates that temperatures could increase by 1.8 degrees Celsius by 2050, and potentially double by 2090 if current trends continue unchecked. It also forecasts that sea levels in Sydney Harbour could rise by 56 centimeters by the end of the century, endangering the city’s most iconic landmark, the Sydney Opera House, as well as most of the city’s beaches. Furthermore, conditions inland would be scarcely better, with temperatures potentially becoming unbearable, with predictions of days exceeding 35 degrees Celsius for a third of the year. This would also significantly increase the risk of bushfires, which, as seen during the devastating summer of 2020, can be catastrophic.
Are any measures being considered to avoid this scenario?
Some suggested measures include constructing shaded shelters and increasing hospital resources to treat heat-related illnesses. However, these solutions may be seen as mere stopgaps. The only real solution would be to tackle climate change directly. Unfortunately, Australia, which is highly affected, is not doing enough. The government continues to approve new coal mines and recently presented an energy strategy that considers natural gas a strategic energy source, even beyond 2050.
Source: RFI
