Australia is to be hit with serious climate change threats in the coming years that could affect millions of people, new report reveals.
According to BBC, a landmark climate report has found that people in Australia that are living in the coastal area have a serious threat from rising sea levels, putting one and a half million at risk by 2050.
Australia's first National Climate Risk Assessment found that the country will face severe climate change catastrophes in the future, including floods, cyclones, heatwaves, droughts and bushfires.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said, “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.”
This makes alarming projections, like a 400% surge in heat-related deaths in Sydney and a near tripling in Melbourne if temperatures rise by 3°C.
It also found that every citizen of the country home to 27 million people will be forced to deal with the climate risks that will be "cascading, compounding and concurrent".
As per the report, these effects “will put pressure on health, critical infrastructure, natural species and ecosystems, and primary industries.”
Meanwhile, Bowen noted, “One thing that is very clear from this climate assessment is that our whole country has a lot at stake. The cost of inaction will always outweigh the cost of action."
The National Climate Risk Assessment warned of increased heatwave-related deaths and poorer water quality due to bushfires and flooding, while the property will devalue by A$611bn ($406bn; £300bn).