2017-11-21
Extreme weather report predicts massive damage, even without climate change
Greens climate change spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today commented on a report by the Australian Business Roundtable for Disaster Resilience & Safer Communities, which warned that the economic cost of extreme weather could reach $39 billion per year by 2050 – without considering any additional impact from climate change.
“If the damage bill from extreme weather events will reach almost $40 billion without modelling climate change impacts, it’s horrifying to consider what the damage would be if climate change was factored in,” said Mr Bandt.
“I’ve just returned from the UN’s climate conference in Germany which looked at the loss and damage from climate change. Over 20 countries and governments all committed to a coal phase out and Australia’s absence was conspicuous.
“While the rest of the world was moving beyond coal, Josh Frydenberg was tweeting about his meeting with Donald Trump’s climate advisor. Australia’s similarity to the coal-huggers in Trump’s America is frightening and embarrassing.
“To ignore the implications of this report is to directly threaten our way of life. It’s time for Malcolm Turnbull to break away from the Trumps on his backbench and deliver strong, decisive action on climate change.”
Media contact: Gideon Reisner, 0429 109 054
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