Climatic Change Adaptation Strategy - Article Example

Running Header: Climatic Change Adaptation Strategy Surname: First Names: Student Number: Institution: Course Number: Course Name: Assignment Due Date: Introduction In many years, climate change has remained one of the biggest threats for both mankind and other living organisms. This is because of the much destruction it possess to live and property. However because of it is persistence in occurrence, the world community has come to accept that climate change is a reality and there is urgent need to take precautionary measures to save the world. Even though climate change has been recognized as a threat to live, still there is a big task to determine the nature and the impact level of climate change (Lord and Kulmar 2000). Research has been done and it has been found that climate change can come into existence in different forms. Recent research has shown that in Australia, there are many climatic related impacts in many parts of the country and more especially the Queensland area, the New South Wales and Tasmania as well as Western Australia. Research has been done more specifically when to establish the cause of these climatic changes and the most appropriate measures that can be employed both by the government and the local community to mitigate the aftermath effects of climatic change on the built environment and infrastructure (Booij 2000). The primary objective of this article is to come up with a strategy that can be used as an adaptation to climatic change for the next forty years at Australia’s Gold Coast. The article will therefore entail exploring the impact of climatic change at Australia’s Gold Coast on the built environment and infrastructure, the key stakeholders in the strategy and their responsibilities and the consultation process as well as the policy instruments that can be used to ensure that the strategy is made a success. Finally, this review will seek to establish the mechanism that can be used to coordinate, implement, evaluate and manage the policy instruments. Effects of climate change Climatic change is known to cause a lot of harm both to the built economy and the country’s infrastructure. The built environment include areas like residential houses, the retail industry, the entertainment industry, the commercial and business sector, the government institutions and organizations as well as the social settings for different groups of people. On the other hand, the infrastructure include the transport networks, communication systems, sewerage lines, energy, water supplying linkages, public spaces, educational facilities, healthcare facilities and many more. According to the 2007 report by the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) on the various effects of climatic changes, adaptation strategies and vulnerability revealed that the Gold Coast is yet to experience more frequent hazards like storms and floods which are likely to impact negatively in terms of cost to the locals. The report went further to indicate that the Gold Coast is very vulnerable to extreme Cyclones which for over years has continued to hit the people living along the coast and Innisfail (IPCC 2007). Queensland because of its geographical location and the presence of river Brisbane has contributed to occurrence of major floods in the region. Figure 1 below is a graph how the height of floods along river Brisbane has been changing over years. Source: Floods commission of inquiry 2011. Built environment Following persistent climatic change in many parts of the country like many other parts of the world, physical impacts are evident in many sectors of the built environment such a residential homes, the retail and commercial industry, the entertainment sector as well as the commercial sector. This is because heavy rains and floods are associated with causing disruption in the execution of day to day services. As shown in graph 2 below, the amount of rain along the Gold Coast has been heavy and persistent for very many years thus continuing to cause havoc to the people living in the region. On the other, to some people loose their lives whereas others get injured (Crompton and McAneney 2008). Climatic change is also associated with the destruction of many residential homes thus making many people getting displaced thus causing instability in the social setting. Alongside physical injuries, climatic change related impacts are known to be causing a lot of emotional trauma for the survivors from what they see. This means that many people are not able to continue with their normal lives as it is ought to have been. Source: Floods commission of inquiry 2011. Infrastructure It is estimated that the cost of doing repair on the destroyed property like bridges, rails, sewerage system, energy, water and communicates is more than $5.5 million as per the 2008 estimates. This cost is only incurred when there is extreme rain at the cost which causes floods and even storms along the coast. Even though these rains are said to be of extreme they occur once in almost 200 years. These rains normally cause major destructions to the infrastructure along the low lying grounds where floods are more severe. Rise of water above the sea level since the 20th century has also been identified as a major cause of enhanced costal degradation and erosion as well massive losses of the ecosystem (White 2003). However, there are different levels of impact depending on the ground level of a particular region. The trend in the increase in the sea water level is expected to rise up to o.6 metres in the next three decades thus continuing to pose a great problem to the people who live in the region. Temperatures are also expected to rise by 3 degrees over the same period alongside the intensified presence of cyclones, sea waves, storms and rain run offs. Given the persistent increase in climatic change, the energy sector is expected to suffer greatly. This is because most families and household require living in a controlled environment. This include the use of air conditioning facilities to provide safe environment to live in. this increased demand by different households is expected to put a lot of pressure on the energy sector as they will be required to supply these gadgets to the people living in the region. However, demand for the air conditioning gadgets varies with season this in respect to change in temperature during the winter and summer seasons. A report by Howden and Crimp (2001) indicated that climate change experienced different sensitivities from people living in different parts of the country. In states like Brisbane and Adelaide have more demands to the energy sector as opposed to their colleagues from Sydney and Melbourne. This is due to the different climatic regions these states are found. In general terms, the sector energy is one of the most hit sectors of the economy in Australia from climatic changes this is because they are expected to establish transmission lines which are to be used to supply aid during the occurrence of climatic changes in extremes (Roy et al 2001). Like the case of the energy sector, the water sector is also prone to serious problems whenever there are climatic changes. The Gold Cost is a low lying region. When there are extreme rainfalls and floods and even storms the water lines destroyed from siltation. This means that many people do not access clean water to drink. This means that the local government of Queensland is expected to supply the locals with clean water for domestic use (EPA 2008a). At the same time sea water due to climatic change has become saline meaning there is need to invest in water cleaning and purifying process to make it safe for human use. Key stakeholders in mitigation process The process of reducing the aftermath effect of hazards a very important step that should be considered by governments in safeguarding life and property. However, the process of adapting to climatic change is not a single person responsibility whereby different parties have to be included. The main stakeholders in adaptation process include the government from the federal governments down to the local government, the local community, the business community and the media community. Consultation process The consultation process of the key stakeholders may take two different forms; formal and informal. In case of the formal process the government and other major key stakeholders agree on specific responsibilities for each party. This may be done by engaging in public forums such as seminars and conferences where new ways of managing and adapting to climatic change are chatted (Floods Commission of Inquiry 2011). This process is well supported by the government policy which outlines what should be done by each party in mitigating the effects if climatic change. On the other hand, informal consultation may involve different stakeholders taking individual responsibility to tackle the problem of climatic change and related effects. These two forms of consultations need to be applied simultaneously from the national level to the regional level and to the local governments. Allocation of actions to the key stakeholders Adaptation actions can be allocated depending on the role and duty of each stakeholder in the local community. As identified earlier, the key stakeholders of the adaptation strategy are the government, the business community and media groups. as away of ensuring that each of these stakeholders has taken it is rightful responsibility in the process in curbing the menace of climatic change, there is need to understand that each party has a part to play. The federal and local government The federal government is the major stakeholder in the process and it is charged with the responsibility of policy making. The Gold Coast part of Australia is the one most hit by floods, cyclones and storms. This region falls under the Queensland state government. The local government of Queensland is entitled with the responsibility of ensuring that the inhabitants in that area are living in a safe environment free from floods and storms. The Queensland government is expected to oversee the implementation of the government adaptation strategy on climatic change (Roche et al 2010). According to the IPCC report of 2005 even though there are several climatic plans have been implemented previously, there is still need to address the issue of high population growth in the area which has been identified as the ‘hot spot’ for floods by the same report. This is the only way the government of Queensland can ensure that substantial measures are put in place not only to ensure that people are relocated but also to ensure the climatic change causes are managed to ensure to ensure their reduced frequency (AAS 2010). Generally, the government is supposed to allocate enough resources for the people living in this area alongside setting aside adequate budget for infrastructural development in the area. Economic stabilizing policy should also be put in place to make sure the market economy and shock are sustained and that living standard of the people is improved. The business community The business community of the Gold Coast part of Australia comprise of the manufacturing companies, the banking sector, the insurance industry, the retail and wholesale industry as well as the tourism sector. The business community is expected to be on the forefront in ensuring that people living in the area are supported and empowered economically to be able to protect themselves from the effects of climatic change along the coast which for many years has witnessed massive destruction of property and life (Ford et al 2011). This can be done through corporate social responsibility strategies that will be employed that people in the area are not only able to adapt to climatic changes but also changes are made to the infrastructure systems like sewerages, water systems and energy systems that are sustainable and resistant to some of the climatic change impacts such as floods and storms. The media community The media has the capability to reach the local community, the government and the business community. The media is expected to play a very vital role in educating the general public on the available policy regarding adaptation to climatic change at the Gold Coast of Australia. The responsibility of educating the public must be handled by the media society because they have established massive coverage to the community through the print and electronic media. The media community is also expected to warn the public incase of hazards such as floods and storms so as to take the precautionary measures that will help them from being hit from these hazards. Policy instruments The policy instruments that need to be used by the government need to address the issue of avoidance with regard to placing focus on relocating to place where they can develop and those places that are less vulnerable to the impacts that rise from climatic change. This strategy is important in helping people to stay away from vulnerable places. The Queensland policy is also expected to address the issue of planning for retreats. Planned retreats are expected to encourage people to go back to those places that are perceived to be safe from climactic change impacts. Retreatment means that people have to abandon the infrastructures and systems that are more prone to climatic changes (Haines 2006). This process need to address the issue of designing new houses and other residential structures that are resistant to the coastal related calamities like storms, floods and cyclones. Finally, the policy by the government of Queensland and the federal government has to be responsible of protecting of all people living in the area. This policy must place more emphasis in protecting individuals who are living in the coastal line and more especially in the most populated areas. This policy needs also to protect both life and property from destruction by climatic change related impacts. Policy coordination strategies The adaptation policy coordination strategy should be aimed at ensuring that all key stakeholders are working towards empowering the local community in protecting themselves from the impacts related to climatic change. Policy coordination can only be made possible by establishing a common goal and vision that will be used for the next forty years. A common vision should be the one that address the issues that surrounds the climatic change along the Gold Coast and the general impact on the community living in the area (Ebi and Schmier 2005). For the strategy to work effectively, the government of Queensland is supposed to do a thorough analysis of the local environment and thereby identify some of the major causes of climatic change and the kind of resource that are required to suppress the effect of climatic change on the people living in the region. This is so important because the identification of the cause is the genesis of identifying the real problems that face people in the area. Communication is very vital in enhancing coordination. Policy implementation strategies Important to note is that the Queensland policy has been addressed by the ClimateSmart Adaptation Strategy Plan. This means therefore that the overall challenges that are facing the indigenous people and the local community that is vulnerable in terms of infrastructure, investment costs and lack of awareness (Queensland Government 2011). Use of different local and foreign languages to create public awareness and communication among the locals will play a very big role in making sure that all ethnic groups who live in the region like the Japanese, French, Chinese, Britons and Koreans are well communicated to. The other implementation plan that needs to be taken into consideration is the one that deals with addresses the various concerns about the environment. This plan according to the SEQ and CCMP draft can be used to do a detailed assessment of assessments that are common in this region and the most affected parts (EPA 2008b). This process is important in helping low income dwellers to own houses that are safe and protective to the harmful effects of environmental change. Evaluation of the adaptation strategy The evaluation of the adaptation strategy comprises using different parameters to determine whether the mechanism that has been put in place has been effective or not. Brisbane is one of the major cities located at the coastal line of the Queensland state as shown in the map below. The state is located at (27°30' S, 153°1' E) of Australia. According to the report by the Robin van den Honert and John McAneney (2011), investigating into the causes and impacts of the Brisbane river floods, revealed that in 2010, at least 24 people died while over 18, 000 properties were destroyed. Considering this case therefore, the strategy is expected to reduce the impact of the floods and even do away with perennial deaths. Therefore the best method to evaluate the effectiveness of adaptation strategy, the policy implementer is expected to ensure that the benefits that are realized from the strategy supersede the cost of the strategy. The strategy can also be evaluated by looking at the number of properties destroyed and the lives lost. In addition, the adaptation strategy can also be evaluated by determining the level of disruption like transportation, health and communication that result from the climatic change related hazards. Figure 3: Location of Brisbane Conclusion This article has explored the problem of climatic change and its physical impact on both the built environment and the infrastructure with reference the Gold Coast of Australia. This article has managed to discuss the impact of climatic change on the built environment and infrastructure by looking at key stakeholders who are responsible in implementing the adaptation strategy that will see the country experience less impact from climatic change related hazards such as floods, storms and cyclones. The key stakeholders in the adaptation policy include the media society, the business community and the government. In general terms, it has been established that climatic change for many years has caused much losses in terms of property and live and that there is urgent need to come up with a long-term strategy that will address the problems of the people living in the region. References Australian Academy of Science. (2010). The Science of Climate Change: Questions and Answers. AAS: Canberra. Booij, M.J., (2000). Impact of climate change on river flooding assessed with different spatial model resolutions. Journal of Hydrology, 303(1-4):176-198. Crompton, R.P. & McAneney, K.J. (2008) Normalised Australian insured losses from meteorological hazards: 1967–2006. Environ. Sci. Policy, 11, 371-378. Ebi, K.L. & Schmier, J.K., (2005). A Stitch in Time: Improving Public Health Early Warning Systems for Extreme Weather Events. Epidemiologic Reviews 27: 115-121. EPA. (2008a). State Coastal Management Plan review, EPA website: www.epa.qld.gov.au . EPA. (2008b). Regional Coastal Management Plans, EPA website: www.epa.qld.gov.au Everett, J.D., Baird, M.E. & Suthers, I.M. ( 2007). Nutrient and plankton dynamics in an intermittently closed/open lagoon, Smiths Lake, south-eastern Australia: An ecological model‖. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 72(4):690–702. Floods Commission of Inquiry. (2011). Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 2011. Available online: http://www.floodcommission.qld.gov.au/submissions. Ford, J., L. Berrang-Ford & J. Paterson., (2011). “A systematic review of observed climate change adaptation in developed nations.” Climatic Change. 106: 327–336. Haines, P.E., Tomlinson, R.B. & Thom, B.G. (2006). Morphometric assessment of intermittently open/closed coastal lagoons in New South Wales, Australia‖. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 67(1-2):321-332. IPCC. (2007). Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group 2 to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Chapter 11: Australia and New Zealand. Lord, D.B. & Kulmar, M., (2000). The 1974 Storms Revisited: 25 Years Experience in Ocean Wave Measurement Along the South-East Australian Coast. ASCE, Proc. Coastal Engineering 2000, Sydney, Australia, pp 559-572. Roche, K.M.; McAneney, K.J.; van den Honert, R.C., (2010). Policy options for managing flood insurance. Environ. Hazards. 9, 369-378. Queensland Government. (2011). South East Queensland Regional Coastal Management Plan. DERM: Brisbane. Roy, P.S., Williams, R., Jones, A.R., Yassini, I., Gibbs, P.J., Coates, B., West, R.J., Scanes, P.R., Hudson, J. & Nichol, S. (2001). Structure and function of south-east Australian estuaries, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 53(3),351-384. Timbal B. & McAvaney B.J. (2001). An analogue based method to downscale surface air temperature: Application for Australia, Climate Dynamics., 17, pp 947–963. White N., Suthherst R.W., Hall N. & Whish–Wilson P. (2003). The Vulnerability of the Australian Beef Industry to Impacts of the Cattle Tick Under Climate Change, Climatic Change, 61(1–2): pp 157–190. Read More

Alongside physical injuries, climatic change related impacts are known to be causing a lot of emotional trauma for the survivors from what they see. This means that many people are not able to continue with their normal lives as it is ought to have been. Source: Floods commission of inquiry 2011. Infrastructure It is estimated that the cost of doing repair on the destroyed property like bridges, rails, sewerage system, energy, water and communicates is more than $5.5 million as per the 2008 estimates.

This cost is only incurred when there is extreme rain at the cost which causes floods and even storms along the coast. Even though these rains are said to be of extreme they occur once in almost 200 years. These rains normally cause major destructions to the infrastructure along the low lying grounds where floods are more severe. Rise of water above the sea level since the 20th century has also been identified as a major cause of enhanced costal degradation and erosion as well massive losses of the ecosystem (White 2003).

However, there are different levels of impact depending on the ground level of a particular region. The trend in the increase in the sea water level is expected to rise up to o.6 metres in the next three decades thus continuing to pose a great problem to the people who live in the region. Temperatures are also expected to rise by 3 degrees over the same period alongside the intensified presence of cyclones, sea waves, storms and rain run offs. Given the persistent increase in climatic change, the energy sector is expected to suffer greatly.

This is because most families and household require living in a controlled environment. This include the use of air conditioning facilities to provide safe environment to live in. this increased demand by different households is expected to put a lot of pressure on the energy sector as they will be required to supply these gadgets to the people living in the region. However, demand for the air conditioning gadgets varies with season this in respect to change in temperature during the winter and summer seasons.

A report by Howden and Crimp (2001) indicated that climate change experienced different sensitivities from people living in different parts of the country. In states like Brisbane and Adelaide have more demands to the energy sector as opposed to their colleagues from Sydney and Melbourne. This is due to the different climatic regions these states are found. In general terms, the sector energy is one of the most hit sectors of the economy in Australia from climatic changes this is because they are expected to establish transmission lines which are to be used to supply aid during the occurrence of climatic changes in extremes (Roy et al 2001).

Like the case of the energy sector, the water sector is also prone to serious problems whenever there are climatic changes. The Gold Cost is a low lying region. When there are extreme rainfalls and floods and even storms the water lines destroyed from siltation. This means that many people do not access clean water to drink. This means that the local government of Queensland is expected to supply the locals with clean water for domestic use (EPA 2008a). At the same time sea water due to climatic change has become saline meaning there is need to invest in water cleaning and purifying process to make it safe for human use.

Key stakeholders in mitigation process The process of reducing the aftermath effect of hazards a very important step that should be considered by governments in safeguarding life and property. However, the process of adapting to climatic change is not a single person responsibility whereby different parties have to be included. The main stakeholders in adaptation process include the government from the federal governments down to the local government, the local community, the business community and the media community.

Consultation process The consultation process of the key stakeholders may take two different forms; formal and informal.

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