The full release
Climate change is already affecting Tasmania’s environment and economy, and all sectors of the state need to focus urgently on how to adapt to the changes and to minimise their impacts, a report released by the Australian Greens has found.
The peer reviewed report by Dr Melanie Fitzpatrick, commissioned by Australian Greens climate change spokesperson Senator Christine Milne, examines the impact of climate change on the fisheries and agricultural industries, the built environment, and forests and alpine areas.
“This report, The Impact of a Changing Climate on Industry Sectors in Tasmania, found that climate change is already affecting Tasmania’s environment and economy,” Senator Milne said releasing the report in Hobart today.
“Yet the federal and state governments have been slow to respond.
“Tasmania’s east coast surface water temperature has risen 1°C since 1940, affecting wild and farmed fish stocks. Warmer waters have also brought species from elsewhere, like the sea urchin, which is harming kelp forests on the north-east and central coast of Tasmania and affecting the habitat of rock lobsters and abalone.
“Minimum temperatures have risen 0.5°C and maximum temperatures have risen by 1°C since 1950. Temperatures are forecast to rise higher, putting at risk apples which rely on cold temperatures for budding, possibly lowering milk yields from cows, and reducing the quality of wine grapes.
“Despite these and other serious implications of climate change for Tasmania, like severe storms and coastal erosion, there has been insufficient research on future impacts. Nor has there been a sense of urgency about the need to act now to respond to climate change and minimise the risks and damage.
“Whilst the federal government has failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol or to develop a national strategy to address climate change, the state government has also not risen to the challenge. The Tasmanian government announced in November 2004 that it would prepare a climate change strategy for the state but no document has yet been released.
“It is easy for people to feel overwhelmed by what is a global problem, but we do have the capacity to respond at state, regional, local and individual levels.
“We can use the challenge of climate change to build stronger communities and develop new industries and energy sources to better position Tasmania and ensure that our future prosperity is not gained at the expense of our unique island environment.”
Copies of the report are available from Senator Milne’s office or the website: www.christinemilne.org.au
