Under the worst-case scenario, sea levels in Sydney could rise by 56 centimetres by 2090.
Sydney, ville “postcard” from Australia, is “vulnerable” rising sea levels due to global warming, according to a government climate report released Monday, August 19. The state of New South Wales, where the city is located, has warned that Sydney could face a temperature increase of 1.8°C by 2050, and this forecast could be doubled by 2090 if global warming is not curbed.
These temperature increases would cause serious problems for coastal and bushland populations. The report says the city’s iconic Sydney Opera House on the harbour and the city’s northern beaches would be significantly affected. In a worst-case scenario, sea levels in Sydney could rise by 56 centimetres by 2090.
But it is the cities far from the coast that would suffer the worst heat. In 2090, their inhabitants will have to live a third of the year with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees according to this study. The authorities are trying to find solutions so that these cities can live as well as possible “future proof”.
293 heat-related deaths between 2012 and 2022
These include setting up shelters for residents to take refuge in if temperatures rise sharply, but also ensuring that hospitals have the resources needed to treat heat-related illnesses. “This data will help protect critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, transportation networks, dams and energy systems from the impacts of climate change such as extreme heat, fires and floods.”said NSW Climate Change Minister Penny Sharpe.
According to national health data, heat was responsible for 7,104 hospitalisations and 293 deaths in Australia between 2012 and 2022. Kate Wylie, a doctor and head of climate advocacy group Doctors for the Environment Australia, said heat triggered increased numbers of heart attacks, domestic violence and suicidal thoughts.
“The city of Sydney has a known problem: there is no shade on the street, the buildings have black roofs which cost more to cool”she lamented, while recalling the basic rules: stay hydrated and stay away from the heat. “The entire planet is warming. The sooner we can switch to renewable energy, the healthier we will be.”she added.