Coastal hazards driven by climate change could put three million people at risk by 2090 if Australia warms by 3C, according to a major body of new climate research released by the federal government.
The National Climate Risk Assessment, released on Monday, shows no Australian community will be immune from climate risks that it said will be "cascading, compounding and concurrent".
Floods, cyclones, heatwaves, droughts and bushfires will occur more frequently, more severely, and often at the same time, it said.
Northern Australia, remote communities and outer suburbs are particularly susceptible, which it said will place a strain on health and wellbeing, emergency services, critical infrastructure and primary industries.
"Australians are already living with the consequences of climate change today, but it's clear every degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations avoid the worst impacts in years to come," Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said.
The landmark report finds Australia will experience climate hazards more frequently, more severely, and often at the same time. Source: Getty / Roni Bintang
It models the likely impacts of climate-related hazards by 2050 and 2090 under three global warming levels: above 1.5C, 2C and 3C.
The report states warming across the Australian continent has already reached 1.5C.
If global temperatures increase by an average of 3C compared to pre-industrial levels, heat-related mortality is projected to increase across the country.
This means the number of deaths related to heatwaves could jump by more than 400 per cent in Sydney and Darwin, and more than 250 per cent in Melbourne.
The report paints a bleak picture of increased climate hazards across the country, suggesting they will happen more frequently and often at the same time.
The report warns that extreme weather events in the future will be different from the past, and history won’t be a good guide of what to expect.
Floods are also expected to become more frequent as sea levels rise.
Tropical cyclones are forecast to hit Australia less often, but there is a possibility they will become more severe and shift slightly farther south.
— With additional reporting from the Australian Associated Press
