CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS FOR WA

Key Resources | Additional Resources

The Department of Climate Change has catalogued the principal climatic and related changes for Western Australia based on generalised regions illustrated in this diagram. (click on region of interest for information) Key Resources for Climate Change Impacts The Department of Climate Change provides information about sectors vulnerable to climate change impacts including agriculture, biodiversity, coasts, forests, settlements and infrastructure, and water resources. Western Australian Fact Sheet: Climate Change - Potential Impacts and Costs www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/publications/fs-wa.html This fact sheet from the Department of Climate Change summarises some of the possible impacts and costs of climate change on Western Australia’s industries, infrastructure and people. Australian Climate Change Impacts by Sector www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/overview.html The Department of Climate Change provides information about sectors vulnerable to climate change impacts including agriculture, biodiversity, coasts, forests, settlements and infrastructure, and water resources. Sea Level Rise www.cmar.csiro.au/sealevel/index.html CSIRO’s Wealth from Oceans Flagship provides information about the expected impacts from sea level rise. Climate Change Adaptation Actions for Local Government www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/publications/local-government.html This 2007 SMEC report is one of several tools the Australian Government is developing to assist local governments in identifying and implementing climate change adaptation actions. The report provides an excellent overview of climate change impacts as they affect the functions of Australia’s local governments. Climate Change Adaptation Actions for Local Government was commissioned by the former Australian Greenhouse Office as part of the Australian Government’s National Climate Change Adaptation Programme. Climate Change Scenarios for Initial Assessment of Risk in Accordance with Risk Management Guidance www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/publications/risk-scenarios.html Prepared by CSIRO, this report provides regional climate change scenarios for ten Australian regions including North Western Australia and South Western Australia. Climate Change in Australia Technical Report www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/technical_report.php This report provides information about the likely magnitude of climate change in Australia and the impacts that will occur. The report includes regional climate change projections and 14 site specific projections around Australia. The application of climate projections in impact and risk assessment is also discussed. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Swan and Canning Rivers http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/portal/...PORTAL This report provides valuable information about the impacts of climate change on the Swan and Canning River system. The report includes key impacts on ecology, social values, infrastructure, recreation and the economic base. This report was written by the Technical Advisory Panel for the Swan River Trust in 2007. Health Impacts of Climate Change: Adaptation Strategies for Western Australia www.public.health.wa.gov.au/2/705/2/climate_change.pm Published in 2008, this Western Australian Department of Health report presents the outcomes of a Health Impact Assessment of Climate Change project. The report identifies the potential health impacts Western Australian’s are likely to experience as a result of climate change. A range of adaptation strategies are discussed. Living With Our Changing Climate: Report of Workshop www.ioci.org.au/index.php?menu_id=22 This publication is a report of the Western Australian Government’s Indian Ocean Climate Initiative Workshop on climate change impacts in the south-west of Western Australia in August 2005. The report sets out key climate change impacts by sector in the south-west of WA since 1970. Planning for Climate Change: Leading Practice Principles and Models for Sea Change Communities in Coastal Australia www.seachangetaskforce.org.au/New.html This research report by Nicole Gurran, Elisabeth Hamin and Barbara Norman is an excellent source of information on the aspects and potential impacts of climate change facing coastal communities in Australia. Prepared for the National Sea Change Taskforce, this report examines the current state of practice as well as leading practice in planning for climate change in coastal amenity areas. Recommendations are made for enhancing local government coastal planning practices in relation to climate change. Climate Change 2007 Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability - Summary for Policymakers www.ipcc.ch The IPCC Working Group II Report - Summary for Policymakers gives a useful global overview of how climate change is affecting natural and human systems, current knowledge of future impacts, and climate change responses. Major climate change projections and impacts for Australia are outlined. The full Fourth Assessment Report is also available at this address. Back to top Additional Resources OzCoasts Sea Level Rise www.ozcoasts.org.au/indicators/sea_level_rise.jsp Sea level is predicted to rise from global warming. OzCoasts offers an introduction to global sea level rise and impacts on coasts, estuaries and marine ecosystems. Beach Erosion www.ozcoasts.org.au/indicators/beach_erosion.jsp Beach erosion can be linked to rising sea levels and storm surges associated with climate change. OzCoasts provides information about beach erosion including the human activities that accelerate it. Impacts on Australian Estuaries www.ozcoasts.org.au/indicators/greenhouse_effect.jsp OzCoasts provides an informative summary of the potential impacts on Australian estuaries from global warming. Saline Intrusion www.ozcoasts.org.au/indicators/saline_intrusion.jsp Saline intrusion can be linked to rising sea levels and storm surges associated with climate change. OzCoasts provides information about saline intrusion and its causes. Vector Borne Diseases www.ozcoasts.org.au/indicators/vector_born_disease.jsp The prevalence of vector borne diseases is predicted to increase as the planet continues to warm. OzCoasts provides information about the significance of vector borne diseases in relation to climate change. How Climate Change Could Affect Sport and Recreation Now and in the Future www.dsr.wa.gov.au/index.php?id=659 This report sets out the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on sport and recreation in Western Australia, and strategic and operational responses to climate change. A framework to assess and respond to the impacts of climate change on sport and recreation is provided. Informed Adaptation to a Changed Climate State: Is South-Western Australia a National Canary? www.ioci.org.au/index.php?menu_id=22 This Indian Ocean Climate Initiative (IOCI) research paper tracks climate change impacts in the south-west of Western Australia since the 1970’s when an abrupt change in climate state occurred, reducing winter rainfall and associated stream-flows and groundwater recharge. This paper discusses the State’s construction of climate research under the IOCI and its role in supporting climate change adaptation. Living With Climate Change - An Overview of Potential Climate Change Impacts on Australia www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/overview/index.html This report provides an overview of some potential impacts of climate change on Australia including the water supply, natural ecosystems, the built environment and human health. The report sets out Australia’s projected future climate and sea level rise. This report was published in 2002 by the former Australian Greenhouse Office. Climate Change - An Australian Guide to the Science and Potential Impacts www.climatechange.gov.au/science/guide/index.html The purpose of this guide is to provide policy-relevant advice and source material on the impacts of climate change and the potential to adapt (see Chapter 5). Global and Australian contexts are provided. This guide is based on the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC TAR) published in 2001 as well as more recent international and Australian research into climate change impacts and adaptation. This guide was published in 2003, pre-Fourth Assessment Report. An Assessment of the Need to Adapt Buildings to the Unavoidable Consequences of Climate Change www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/publications/buildings.html This report, published in 2007, examines the potential impacts of climate change on Australia’s building stock and building practices, noting that climate change is likely to affect buildings in a range of ways. The report further investigates the scope for Australian building practices to adapt to climate change. Thirteen locations from a range of climate zones are examined. Impacts of Climate Change on Australian Marine Life www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/publications/marinelife.html Climate change is expected to have significant impacts on marine life and ecosystems. This report, published in 2006 by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, draws together current knowledge of climate change impacts on Australian marine life. The report includes projections for Australian marine climate and potential impacts of climate change on ecosystems and human societies. Recommendations are made to address information gaps and build resilience to climate change. The Impacts and Management Implications of Climate Change for the Australian Government's Protected Areas www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/publications/protected-areas.html This technical scoping study outlines the likely impacts and management implications of climate change on the Australian Government’s protected areas. The report draws together existing research on the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and will be of interest to natural resource managers. This study was prepared by Hyder Consulting in March 2008 for the Department of Climate Change with the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Implications of Climate Change for Australia's National Reserve System - A Preliminary Assessment www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/publications/nrs-report.html This report examines the implications of climate change for the development and management of Australia’s National Reserve System (NRS). Key actions to address the impacts of climate change on the NRS are given. The report will be of interest to natural resource managers. The report was prepared by CSIRO in March 2008 for the Department of Climate Change with the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. National Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plan 2004 – 2007 www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/nbccap The aim of this three year action plan is to address the impacts of climate change on Australian biodiversity. Strategies and actions identified will be integrated into broader biodiversity policies and programs. The plan also plays an important role in coordinating national, state and territory climate change programs for biodiversity. This publication will be of interest to natural resource managers. Variability and Trends in the Australian Wave Climate and Consequent Coastal Vulnerability www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/publications/wave-climate.html This report describes Australia’s ocean wave climate and projected changes to surface ocean wave energy felt on Australia’s coasts as a result of climate change. The potential impacts of changing ocean waves in the coastal zone including greater coastal inundation from severe storm events and chronic coastal erosion is also discussed. This report was funded by the Department of Climate Change and CSIRO Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship. Back to top

Research Overview Impacts Approaches to Adaptation Trends and Scenarios