But Victoria University of Wellington climate scientist Professor James Renwick said some context needed to be put around those types of comparisons. Yes, in the sense of average temperatures. But when it comes to the sorts of weather events these cities see, Auckland is never going to be like Sydney, just because of the geography.
Renwick also questioned the new index's water stress score, which he suspected of being too low. Projections previously made for Auckland included the average temperatures becoming anywhere between 0.
Along with that would come more frequent heatwaves, like that which hit the city this year, more frequent extreme rainfall events, and a sea level projected to be 15cm to 30cm higher by They're on a tour of New Zealand in , aiming to use the country as a blueprint for navigating the enduring battle of the century: climate change.
The world managed to reach "net zero" emissions this year, in turn limiting an increase in global average temperatures to 1. It was a remarkable achievement that required sweeping changes to diplomacy, social and economic policy and the way people live their daily lives. The world's biggest emitters of carbon dioxide - China, the US, India and Russia - had to put aside their differences and work together.
They taxed fossil fuels, subsidised renewable energy and helped developing countries access advanced energy technology. But the picture isn't all positive. The change of 1. Although the planet is no longer warming, some of the long-term impacts, like sea-level rise, are still going to get worse before they get better. The average Kiwi family has an electric vehicle, eats sustainably grown food and is vaccinated against tropical disease.
New Zealanders in are accustomed to higher temperatures, and consider a Summer's day in the high 20s to be mild. The country now has a low-carbon economy, but the transition was bumpy. Reducing our emissions involved societal upheaval. Younger generations organised mass demonstrations across the country, driven by social media and awareness campaigns.
Voters, politicians and lobby groups were polarised. Petitions were handed to parliament, arrests were made and at times, the democratic system seemed at stake. New Zealand was in the grips of a division not seen since the Springbok tour and nuclear-free protests of the s. In the end, the public chose facts-based information over the fossil fuel industry's campaigns.
The pressure from protest won out, and the government developed and consulted on a national climate adaptation plan. Petrol and diesel vehicles were phased out years ago, now relegated to museums and licensed collectors.
Many people no longer commute to work, but those who do use electrified public transport or their own electric vehicles. The government provided initial subsidies for lower-income families to switch to electric cars. The country's flagship airline, Air New Zealand, has become a "net zero carbon airline," using locally grown biofuel for long haul flights. Electric planes are used for domestic travel. The oil and gas industry transitioned to renewable energy like wind and solar; lured there by subsidies and driven away from fossil fuels by tax.
New Zealand helped improve access to renewable energy technology in developing Pacific countries, where it was neither abundant nor cost-effective. Greenhouse gases were bound up in almost every part of our economy; to make the transition, we had to take a hit to our economic vitality.
So did the rest of the world. State-backed employment packages were needed to help workers move from oil and gas into other industries. But critics say the speech failed to mention the root cause of society's problems. The world has not reached its target of net zero emissions this year; the failure has led to average temperatures rising by 2C since pre-industrial times.
An agreement was reached to reduce emissions decades ago, but it was impossible to enforce, and countries differed over what metrics to use when tracking global warming. Leaders were scared of the economic repercussions of taxing carbon, and the fossil fuel industry put all its political power behind disinformation campaigns to confuse the debate.
Developing countries were reluctant to act, blaming the developed world for the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions over the 20th century. Besides, they couldn't pivot to renewable energy technology without considerable aid from wealthier countries, which never came.
The 2C increase has been enough to cripple the economy and cast uncertainty on our place in a volatile world. Drought in agricultural-producing nations like the US has driven up the price of food. The world is looking to New Zealand to produce wheat and other grain crops.
The country is under intense migration pressure, an issue that has polarised voters and led to the opposition calling for an end to our status as a "life raft nation". Mortality rates are rising, as infants and the elderly succumb to the mosquito-borne virus Dengue fever, and antibiotic-resistant outbreaks of salmonella and E.
The country appears to be failing in its traditional role as a "steward of the Pacific," as politicians scramble to put out fires in our own backyard. But where one fire is subdued, be it in immigration, health or defence, another seems to spring up just as quickly. The prospects of the average Kiwi family are defined by these circumstances: high food prices, poor health outcomes, and a strain on social services. Our most vulnerable populations pay the biggest price.
A political rally turned violent last night as the opposition promised to renege on a deal to accept thousands of climate migrants. The new arrivals, who begin their resettlement at centres in Auckland, Wellington and Otago, were singled out as responsible for rising unemployment and other social ills. But international critics labelled the remarks "Trumpian" - harking back to the US president's hard-line on immigration three decades ago - and urged New Zealand to keep its borders open.
Climate migrants come mainly from Australia, which is battling drought and mosquito-borne disease; Pacific nations like Kiribati, now half-submerged in rising seas; and Bangladesh, where millions of people have been displaced. Also vying for climate migrant status in New Zealand are refugees from failed states, and from countries that have descended into resource wars, such as India and Pakistan.
New Zealand is viewed as a lifeline in parts of the world where the direct impacts of climate change have been more acute.
The country is relatively safe and stable, and still producing food. But on arrival, refugees say they have few economic prospects here other than seasonal crop work, and our social system is ill-equipped to help them. Internal migration from coastal towns is adding to the pressure on big cities. Since , sea-levels have risen by 30cm. Sea-levels are expected to have risen by a further 70cm in 40 years' time.
The worst affected area is Canterbury, specifically Christchurch city, which has more people and buildings exposed to extreme coastal flooding than any other area.
0コメント