Rising risks of climate disasters mean some communities will need to move – we need a national conversation about relocation now

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 11:44:05 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/rising-risks-of-climate-disasters-mean-some-communities-will-need-to-move-we-need-a-national-conversation-about-relocation-now-232703>

"Many Australians live in areas increasingly exposed to climate change and
associated extreme weather such as floods, fires, coastal erosion, cyclones and
extreme heat. If we wait for disasters to happen, hundreds of thousands of
people could be forced to flee.

The devastating 2022 floods in northern New South Wales demonstrate the dangers
of failing to move communities from harm’s way. More than two years after the
disaster, the city of Lismore is still recovering. Many people remain in
temporary housing and cannot return home, re-open businesses or access funds to
move elsewhere.

But there is an alternative. We can plan ahead, identify areas most at risk and
permanently relocate communities before disaster strikes. Our recent paper
outlines the pressing need for such a strategy and offers guidance on how to do
it.

Crucially, we call for the establishment of a National Relocation Authority to
spearhead the strategy. While the prospect of relocation can be unsettling and
traumatic for residents, it offers new opportunities and long-term benefits.
But we must act now."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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