Media release - 2 August
2009 - A new report released today finds
that 17 of Australia's iconic World Heritage
properties will experience increased
risks from climate change.
Sites including Sydney
Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu
National Park, Lord Howe Island Group, the
Tasmanian Wilderness and the Greater Blue
Mountains Area are identified as particularly
vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
These effects include
reduced rainfall, higher sea and land surface
temperatures, more severe storm events,
ocean acidification and rising sea levels.
The report is the first
comprehensive report by any country into
the impacts of climate change on all of
its World Heritage properties.
"The disintegration
of our World Heritage areas would be an
irreparable loss to our local communities
and the global community,'' Mr Garrett said.
"We must act now
to ensure they are conserved for the future.''
This report will inform
the Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Australia's
World Heritage and Iconic Areas which will
outline clear principles and key actions
for incorporating climate change adaptation
into management of Australia's World Heritage
and iconic areas.
"The Implications
of Climate Change for Australia's World
Heritage Properties report is a valuable
contribution to our understanding of how
climate change may impact World Heritage
properties," Mr Garrett said.
"Particularly vulnerable
is the largest World Heritage icon the Great
Barrier Reef which extends from the tip
of Cape York Peninsula to south-east Queensland.
"Its network of
reefs - about 2,900 in total - is the largest
and most complex coral reef system in the
world. It is also home to significant biodiversity
such as six of the world's seven species
of marine turtles, one the world's most
important dugong populations and is an important
breeding area for humpback and other whale
species.''
Senator Wong said the
report showed the need for urgent action
on climate change.
"We need to act
now to protect Australia's unique environment,
especially these World Heritage sites that
support so many Australian workers in the
tourism and hospitality industry,'' Senator
Wong said.
Senator Wong said efforts
to reduce carbon pollution were essential
to securing Australia's future prosperity.
"In 11 days, the
Parliament will vote on legislation to start
reducing carbon pollution for the first
time ever,'' Senator Wong said.
World Heritage properties
are included on the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
managed list because of their outstanding
universal value.
The Implications of
Climate Change for Australia's World Heritage
Properties: A Preliminary Assessment was
commissioned by the Australian National
University and assesses the likely impacts
of climate change on these properties, identifies
major gaps in knowledge and recommends a
range of responses.
A copy of the report
is available on the Department website at:
www.environment.gov.au/heritage/publications/climatechange
