2021-03-09 P&E Agenda - Item 8 - Attachment 1 - Climate Change Response Plan

In addition to sea level rise, sea surface temperatures off the Queensland coast have risen
markedly over recent decades, and warming is projected to continue. Such increases could
lead to changes in the makeup of local marine and estuarine ecosystems. Warmer seas
could lead to a southward expansion in the range of certain tropical marine species,
including those both visually attractive to beachgoers and those that are potentially harmful.

The world’s oceans have been absorbing a significant amount carbon dioxide emitted by
human activities, and have increased in acidity by around 25%. If carbon emissions continue
to increase as currently, this acidification of the oceans will also increase. Along with
increases in sea surface temperature, this is likely to have a significant effect on marine
ecosystems, as a more acidic ocean makes it more difficult for important marine species
such as corals and plankton to make their skeletons and shells. Such impacts will extend up
the oceanic food chain, affecting important ecological values and economic activities such as
commercial and recreational fisheries and tourism.


Extreme events
A warmer world is likely to result in an increase in the severity of extreme wind and storm
events. Based on currently available information, the frequency of tropical cyclones forming
and impacting the Queensland coast is expected to decrease. However, a warmer
atmosphere and seas is likely to result in an increase in the average severity of tropical
cyclones, as well as a southward expansion in their normal range. Whilst the does not
appear to be any change in their frequency yet, climate change projections indicate an
overall decrease in East Coast Lows can be expected.

An increase in the severity of storm and tropical cyclone events will lead to increased risks to
people, private property, important infrastructure, and the local environment of Noosa
associated with more intense and frequent flash flooding, and more frequent severe or
extreme wind events.

Bushfire weather is a measure of fuel dryness and hot, dry, windy conditions. Recent
bushfire events in Peregian, Cooroibah and Noosa North Shore have highlighted the ever-
present risk of bushfire. The combination of higher average temperatures, more frequent and
longer heatwaves, and an overall drying trend is likely to result in an increase in bushfire
risks across certain areas of Noosa Shire.


Transition risks
Not all risks associated with a changing climate are natural. How society responds to the
threat of climate change can lead to ‘transition risks’. Transition risks are the result of steps
taken primarily by governments, but also individuals and businesses, to reduce carbon
emissions. An example of a transition risk is a levy on carbon emissions. The introduction of
a carbon levy would increase the cost of doing business for organisations responsible for
carbon emissions, such as a local government that owns a landfill. Another example is a
reduction in the expected return on investment for assets and activities that do not align with
a clean economy, such as a coal-fired power station.

The existence of transition risks should not be viewed as a reason to avoid actions to avert
climate change, but rather as an added incentive to transition to a cleaner economy and
society more rapidly; a form of first-mover advantage. Taking such steps in Noosa, sooner
rather than later, is likely to minimise pressure on future budgets for Noosa Council, and
potentially the community as well.


                                                                                               10
Noosa Climate Change Response Plan - draft for council endorsement March 2021