10
September 2008 - Minister for Climate Change
and Water, Senator Penny Wong, today released
new research to improve understanding of
how climate change might affect off-shore
waves and the potential impact on our coastal
zones.
The research investigated
climatic conditions which could lead to
changes in waves on Australias coast, including
extreme waves of around three metres or
more.
The available modelled
data suggests that over the past 45 years
there has been an increase in the frequency
of weather events which led to large waves
being generated off Australias southern
coast.
There is excellent work
underway in Australia to harness the power
of waves to generate electricity as we move
to a low pollution economy, Senator Wong
said.
But large waves can
also be destructive, leading to coastal
inundation, erosion and the disturbance
of marine habitats.
Understanding wave behaviour
in a changing climate is critical to how
successfully we manage both the opportunities
and the risks.
This study will help
increase our understanding of the potential
impacts to the coastal zone, as well as
providing valuable information for those
seeking to generate electricity from wave
energy.
The research found strong
correlations between wave power in some
Australian regions and changes in climate
drivers such as the length and strength
of the tropical monsoon season in the north.
The report also outlined,
for the first time, a method for identifying
which parts of our coast are likely to be
more susceptible to the impacts of large
and powerful waves.
The $800,000 research
project was jointly funded by the Department
of Climate Change and the CSIRO.
Senator Wong said it
was an important contribution to a broader
assessment currently being undertaken by
the Government of the vulnerability of Australias
coastal zones to climate change.
This assessment will
provide critical information for coastal
zone managers to help them plan for the
potential impacts of climate change.
The full report is available at www.climatechange.gov.au
