Australia Faces Dire Climate Threats: 1.5 Million at Risk by 2050

Tue Oct 21 2025 06:23:31 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent climate assessment warns that rising sea levels could endanger 1.5 million Australians living in coastal areas by the year 2050. The report highlights the pressing need for climate action to avert catastrophic outcomes.

According to Australia's first National Climate Risk Assessment, by 2050, 1.5 million Australians living in coastal areas could be threatened by rising sea levels due to climate change. The report indicates that the country is experiencing severe climate hazards like floods and heatwaves, with dire implications for public health, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Areas especially at risk include northern Australia and the outer suburbs of major cities. The government is urged to take decisive action to mitigate climate impacts and protect local communities.

One and a half million Australians living in coastal areas are at risk from rising sea levels by 2050, a landmark climate report has warned.

Australia's first National Climate Risk Assessment predicted more frequent and severe climate hazards like floods, cyclones, heatwaves, droughts, and bushfires.

Australians are already living with the consequences of climate change today, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said, but it's clear every degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations avoid the worst impacts in years to come.

The report looked at three global warming scenarios - above 1.5C, above 2C, and above 3C.

Australia - one of the world's biggest polluters per capita - has already reached warming of above 1.5C, according to the report, and if temperature rises to 3C, heat-related deaths in Sydney may rise by more than 400% and almost triple in Melbourne.

The report, released just days before the government announces its emissions reduction targets for 2035, reveals that no Australian community will be immune from climate risks that will be cascading, compounding, and concurrent.

It warns of increased heatwave-related deaths, declining water quality from severe flooding and bushfires, and property values dropping by A$611 billion. By 2050, the report predicts that coastal communities categorized in high and very high risk areas will surge, potentially placing over 1.5 million people in jeopardy.

Regions in northern Australia, along with remote communities and outer suburbs of major cities, are especially vulnerable, which could increase the strain on health services, infrastructure, and natural ecosystems.

Moreover, coral reefs such as the Great Barrier Reef are expected to face heightened risks of bleaching and biodiversity loss due to warmer oceans.

Our whole country has a lot at stake, Bowen emphasized, advocating for meaningful action against climate change.

In response to these findings, the government has released a national adaptation plan that aims to align various governmental levels in addressing climate issues and committing to an ambitious target for 2035. Critics argue that more substantial emissions cuts are necessary to secure the future of Australian communities against escalating climate impacts.