NSW is on the frontline of climate change

Scientists warn of potential sever impacts in Sydney and NSW from climate change in the coming years. Among them are:

• More severe droughts: NSW could see a 70% increase in drought frequency by 2030;
• Increased frequency of very hot days: Sydney currently gets 3 days per year over 35C. This could reach 18 by 2070. The number over 40C could reach 4. The Australian Medical Association has warned that by 2100, up to 15,000 Australians could die every year from heat related illnesses due to warmer temperatures caused by climate change if no action is taken;
• More Bushfires: Bushfires will become more intense and more frequent;
• Tourism industry affected: The CSIRO projects that the NSW snowfields may decrease in size by between 18% and 66% by 2030, which would dramatically limit the opportunities for tourism, skiing and snowboarding;
• Less water for Sydney:Sydney is likely to experience increased reductions in its already stressed water supply systems. This particularly likely as key rivers that feed into Sydneys water storage facilities are expected to experience a significant decline in stream flow;
• Loss of coastline: Research carried out by Sydney University scientists suggests that as much as 150 metres of the Sydney coastline could be lost by 2100 as a result of sea-level rise. Bondi Beach would disappear. Collaroy and Narrabeen beaches could retreat by 22 metres, and when combined with a 50-year storm surge by over 110 metres.