Australia’s survival in a warming world will be a massive multi-tasking effort

Much of the climate dialogue in Australia to date has focused on measures to limit global warming, recognizing that Each increment of warming Bad weather contributes to extremes.

In a recent book, Hot Life: Surviving and Thriving on a Warming PlanetAuthors Clive Hamilton and George Wilkenfeld argue that while emissions reductions should continue, Australia should focus its efforts on „adaptation”, or building resilience to the effects of climate change.

Of course, Australia cannot ignore adaptation. Extreme weather, driven by climate change, is repeatedly hitting much of the country — and some areas are gaining Little relaxation Between natural disasters.

But Australia’s emissions-reduction efforts must proceed urgently, on a large scale. Real change Possible. It requires everything, everywhere, at once.

Mixed progress

The world is on a warming path Almost 3 degrees Celsius If current national commitments to reduce emissions are not increased, then at pre-industrial levels.

Climate change is already leading to more extreme and frequent occurrences Extreme weather events Australia’s global region in the Asia-Pacific region.

However, the region’s progress on climate action has been mixed at best. Therefore, many countries are trying to adapt to their „new normal”.

For example, Indonesia moves its capital From submerging Jakarta to the new city of Nusantara – partly as a climate adaptation measure.

In Malaysia, Monash University academics are exploring new avenues Educating citizens and renovating buildings In the era of global warming.

Among the world’s high-income countries, Australia is one of the most vulnerable in a warming world. We need to focus on both reducing our emissions and fundamentally rethinking how we live.

Mitigation and Adaptation: Two Sides of a Coin

When we prioritize both reducing emissions and adapting to climate change, dual benefits can flow.

Research from our organization, the Climate Works Center, shows how this applies to conservation Marine ecosystems around IndonesiaThe world’s largest archipelago-nation.

Mangroves, with their strong root systems, help protect coastal communities and lands from extreme weather events. They can also provide significant long-term „sinks” or storage for carbon.

Protecting these important marine ecosystems improves Indonesia’s climate resilience and can avoid more carbon entering the atmosphere. It’s a win-win for both adaptation and mitigation.

Similarly in Australia, the choices we make around land use can help mitigate and adapt to climate change. This understanding underpins the world-leading „land use trade-off” model, originally developed by CSIRO.

Climateworks and Deakin University Published A new version of the model in 2023. It maps out the best way to use and manage land to meet climate goals, agricultural demand and biodiversity targets in Australia.

For example, well-designed solar arrays can produce clean energy and Increase livestock productionShelter and pasture will protect the sheep.

Technology exceeds expectations

Hamilton and Wilkenfeld argue that humanity relies on a technology-only approach to climate action at our own peril.

Here is the truth. However, technological advances to date cannot be underestimated. In fact, many renewable technologies continue to exist Exceeded our expectations – Affordable solar, batteries, electric vehicles and LED lights etc.

There is also great potential for technology to reduce emissions in Australia Heavy industry.

In 2022, ClimateWorks is a joint initiative Reduced emissions by 70 million tonnes If timely, effective action is taken, it represents an 88% reduction – across Australia’s five industrial regions. The move also aims to boost Australia’s superpower ambitions as a producer of green steel and hydrogen.

Living Hot highlights the need for a massive increase in Australia’s renewable energy supply if everything currently powered by fossil fuels is to be powered by clean sources. We agree. Australia’s electricity and grid requirements Very large than we have planned to date.

However, this stress on the grid can be reduced. We can use energy Very efficiently In our homes, businesses and industries.

And in some cases, these changes bring many benefits. Well-designed homes are cooler in summer and warmer in winter. They are cheaper to run, more resilient to climate-driven extremes and use less energy.

Regional cooperation is key

The authors of Living Hot argue that Australia is doing nothing „that could significantly change the climate in which Australians live by 2050 and beyond”.

In isolation, this might be fine. But Australia can have a significant impact on global efforts to tackle climate change Calls from our area To meaningfully cooperate in reducing emissions.

Over the past two decades, emissions have increased in the Southeast Asian region Almost 5% per annum Countries in the region are industrializing rapidly.

If left unchecked, this emissions-intensive growth risks pushing global warming past critical limits for stabilizing Earth’s climate.

Australia and our region can provide many of the minerals and materials needed to transition to clean energy. To achieve this, Australia must work with our Indo-Pacific neighbors to help them. To acquire special skills To decarbonize.

Looking at COP31

Australia has bid to host the 2026 United Nations climate conference COP31 alongside our Pacific neighbours.

If we succeed, it will provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to champion the urgency of both ambitious climate mitigation and adaptation in our region.

In the Pacific, climate adaptation is existential. Although Tuvalu is its land, it retains its identity May disappear In mere decades. But in Southeast Asia, the biggest challenge, and economic opportunitiesStay on reducing emissions.

Dramatic emissions reductions — enough to slow and eventually stop global warming — would give countries longer to adapt.

Australia has a lot to lose in tackling climate change, but a lot to gain. We are one of the sunniest and windiest places on the planet, with a vast landscape and rich reserves of important minerals needed for energy conversion.

A more stable, secure future for all is within our grasp. It requires going as hard as possible in reducing emissions and adapting to the changes ahead.