Rural towns 'on frontline of climate change'

A report says rural communities in Australia are on the frontline of climate change, with many of them set to be abandoned, due to the rise in extreme weather events.

Remote areas of Australia are about to find themselves on the frontline of climate change.

A new report has identified 20 rural communities most at risk because of their remoteness, poor education levels and low connectivity to the internet.

Top of the list is the small town of White Cliffs in north-western New South Wales, which is known primarily for its Opal mine.

Professor Andrew Beer from the University of Adelaide said "across Australia many of rural communities are already under threat, and climate change will put extra pressure on them, which will lead to extinction".

"The cost of dealing with extreme weather events will rise to the point where people will wonder whether it's worthwhile staying in these places," he said.