Introduction by Croakey: In Canada, provinces have declared a state of emergency, as wildfires fuelled by climate change force widespread evacuations.
In the Swiss Alps, where glaciers are becoming more unstable as global temperatures rise, a village was buried this week by the collapse of a huge portion of a glacier (residents and livestock were evacuated earlier this month following warnings about cracks in the glacial ice).
Meanwhile, one of the first significant acts of the newly returned Albanese Government has been to approve a fossil fuel project described as “one of the most polluting fossil fuel projects in the nation’s history”.
The approval of an extension for the gas plant at Karratha, part of the enormous North West Shelf liquefied natural gas project, shattered “any pretence of climate leadership from a government elected, in part, on that very promise”, said Luke Heilbuth, CEO of sustainability strategy consultancy BWD Strategic, and a former Australian diplomat.
Approval of the North West Shelf extension is “a disaster for the environment, our climate commitments and the fragile and irreplaceable rock art in Murujuga”, Professor Samantha Hepburn, from Deakin University, wrote at The Conversation this week.
Australia has committed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. But most of the gas extracted from the North West Shelf will be exported, meaning the huge emissions generated from its extraction, liquefaction, transportation and burning will not be counted domestically, she said.
The Climate Council released a statement quoting a former North West Shelf manager at BP, Greg Bourne, who said: “Extending the North West Shelf will haunt the Albanese Government. They’ve just approved one of the most polluting fossil fuel projects in a generation, fuelling climate chaos for decades to come.”
Meanwhile, climate change does not even rate a mention in the titles of the Federal Opposition’s newly appointed Shadow Ministry.
As New South Wales communities face a long recovery from the latest floods, a rural health leader has called for urgent action to address the health impacts of climate change, including immediate implementation of the National Health and Climate Strategy.
“Climate change is a daily reality for rural Australians,” writes Susanne Tegen, Chief Executive of the National Rural Health Alliance. “The NSW floods are a devastating reminder of how urgent this issue has become.”
Susanne Tegen writes:
As floodwaters recede in many parts of New South Wales, rural communities are bearing the brunt of yet another climate-related health crisis. From inundated homes and businesses to devastated farmlands and strained health systems, the health impact of recurring floods is compounding the already significant health and wellbeing challenges facing rural, regional and remote Australia.
The impact of climate disasters on rural communities is not a new story. In recent years, rural towns across the country faced repeated floods, bushfires, and droughts. Each event puts immense pressure on rural families, farms, health services, livestock, pets, local economies and as a result, the broader Australian economy.
Rural Australia is disproportionately vulnerable to the effects of dramatic and regular climate disasters, and the latest NSW floods are yet another stark reminder that urgent action is needed.
When floodwaters rise, so too do health risks. Stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mosquito-borne illnesses. Access to clean drinking water is often compromised, while already limited rural health services can become inaccessible for food and supply deliveries, due to road closures or infrastructure damage.
We learn that over 30,000 people in NSW remain cut off from the outside world, with some towns completely isolated. An additional 200 emergency service personnel have been deployed from interstate to support the strained crews on the Mid North Coast.
Dairy cows were washed away in floods, as farming families struggled to hold on to what little was left of their farms, homes and infrastructure, that has been their livelihood. Resupply missions face numerous challenges in finding viable routes to deliver essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine to those affected.
All of this is occurring while rural NSW is still in the midst of recovering from the impact of ex-Cyclone Alfred.
Wider impacts
The rest of Australia must brace for a surge in food and other prices, as the dairy industry warns of likely shortages at a time when Australians are already being hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis.
Indeed, the economic ramifications of flooding (and droughts) are widespread, with the agriculture and food sector among the hardest hit. We must remember that rural, remote and regional Australia provides 90 percent of the food Australians eat. These disasters impact the availability and price of our food.
Beyond the immediate physical risks, the mental health toll is profound. For many in flood-affected regions, these events trigger trauma, anxiety, and depression. The cumulative stress of repeated disasters has long-term implications for community wellbeing.
Mental health professionals in rural areas are already stretched thin, and the increased demand during and after flood events often exceeds available support.
Farmers, in particular, carry a heavy mental burden since their livelihoods are destroyed in a matter of days, leading to financial insecurity and even suicide. Our research shows that one farmer dies by suicide every 10 days. In such a context, the mental health of our farming community should be considered a priority.
Rebuilding takes months, often years, and many rural families simply do not have the financial reserves to recover without assistance. Insurance, once a fallback, has become increasingly inaccessible. With premiums skyrocketing in high-risk flood zones, many farmers are left either underinsured or uninsured altogether.
Inequities
The flood crisis has exposed a growing inequity in the insurance system. Households and businesses in flood-prone regions are seeing their premiums rise dramatically. For many, insuring their property is no longer financially viable, leaving them dangerously exposed to future events.
Insurance premiums in Queensland rose by as much as 300 per cent in the wake of ex-Cyclone Alfred. Annual premiums soared from $3,500 to over $13,500 in just two years, forcing many families to choose between paying for insurance and meeting their mortgage repayments.
The federal and state governments must work with insurers to develop fairer risk-sharing models and ensure that those living in rural and remote Australia are not left behind. We learn that over 3,600 insurance claims have already been lodged as flood clean-up begins. We hope insurers respond to these claims without delay, ensuring that communities are not further stressed.
The recent decision to activate an Insurance Hub in Taree to assist local customers affected by storms and flooding is, however, welcome news. We hope assistance in Taree and other areas will be prompt and insurance premiums will be kept low so that those affected can start rebuilding immediately.
Many of the communities are isolated due to floods and insurers need to ensure that such communities are not left out in the assistance provided.
A reactive approach to climate disasters is no longer enough. The National Rural Health Alliance strongly supports the immediate implementation of the National Health and Climate Strategy, which outlines a clear framework for addressing the health impacts of climate change.
We want to see coordinated mitigation efforts and investment in strengthening healthcare systems that can respond swiftly to climate-related emergencies.
Climate change is a daily reality for rural Australians. The NSW floods are a devastating reminder of how urgent this issue has become.
It is time for all levels of government to work collaboratively with rural communities, health services, and advocacy organisations to create a future that is healthier and safer for all. We stand ready to work in partnership with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that rural communities are supported when disaster strikes again.
See Croakey’s archive of articles on rural, regional and remote health
