The unpredictability of hurricanes makes it hard to say for sure whether climate change is making them worse. But we do know that sea-level rise and increased evaporation will worsen the impacts.
All tropical cyclones in the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, with their locations shown at six-hour intervals and color representing maximum wind speed.
Cyclonebiskit/Wikipedia
Major hurricanes threaten millions of people and billions of dollars in property along the Atlantic coast. Here experts advise on preparing, understanding forecasts and recovering after a storm.
The original conflict between development and preservation of natural assets is broadening as the risks of climate change become ever more obvious.
Crystal Ja/AAP
Conflicts over coastal areas have largely been between development and preserving what makes these attractive places to live. Rising sea levels are now complicating our relationship with the coast.
Residents of Collaroy, NSW, got a painful lesson in the power of the ocean in June.
AAP Image/Dean Lewins
Many Australians live on the coast, but how much do we know about the risks? While average sea levels are relatively easy to gauge, the risk of flooding also depends on weather, landscape, and climate.
Coastal erosion caused by massive waves during the weekend’s East Coast Low.
AAP Image/David Moir
Coastal communities include 24 federal seats held by margins of 5% or less, and their local councils are pressing the Australian government to show more urgency about the impacts of climate change.
Guy Michaels, London School of Economics and Political Science
The odds of being hit again by a large flood are higher for cities that have already been flooded before. Here’s why we still don’t move away.
In the aftermath of 2012’s deadly Hurricane Sandy, New York launched a US$20 billion plan to defend the city against future storms as well as rising sea levels.
David Shankbone/Flickr
Managing the impacts of rising seas for some communities is being made more difficult by the actions of governments, homeowners – and even some well-intentioned climate adaptation experts.
Gamba Grass is altering fire regimes in the Top End, threatening human life and property, natural assets including Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, and compromising savanna burning programs.
Samantha Setterfield
One of the Australian government’s new research priorities is “environmental change”. But can be hard to know how to tackle such huge and interlinked issues as climate change and species extinctions.
Flooding during Hurricane Sandy devastated New York City’s transportation and power infrastructure.
Jason Howie/flickr
Study finds higher risk of flooding from a combination of storm surge and heavy precipitation, particularly along the East Coast of the US.
Cyclone Pam struck the developing island nation of Vanuatu in March 2015. Poorer nations are more exposed to environmental dangers so are more concerned about impacts that might increase the risk.
AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Who cares more about environmental issues: people in rich countries, or not-so-rich countries? A survey suggests it’s those in poorer places who are more vulnerable to issues like climate change.
Human activity is driving sea levels higher. Australia’s seas are likely to rise by around 70 centimetres by 2100 if nothing is done to combat climate change. But 2100 can seem a long way off. At the moment…
At some point, the postman will not always get through.
Dan Anderson
It is amazing for me to see the very aggressive building boom underway in south Florida; on the beaches and barrier islands, throughout downtown and in the low western areas bordering the Everglades. They…
Stack ‘em high: big, health reefs take the sting out of stormy seas.
Dennis M. Sabangan/EPA
Michael Beck, University of California, Santa Cruz
Coral reefs: fragile, delicate, and in danger? Actually coral reefs can be the first line in defence against incoming storms, reducing the power of incoming waves by 97%, even during hurricane-force winds…
Change at the British coastline is a reality we have always lived with. A thousand years ago, King Canute showed his courtiers how absurd it was to seek to command the waves. Later, others built sea walls…
The submerged, petrified forest at Borth, northwest Wales.
Nigel Nayling
Jemma Bezant, University of Wales Trinity Saint David
It is said that if you listen carefully on the shores of Aberdyfi in northwest Wales you can hear the bells of the drowned church of Maes Gwyddno ringing a sad lament beneath the waves. Such tales suggest…
Coasts are at risk from rising seas, but that risk could be alleviated by coastal ecosystems such as mangroves.
Sheep"R"Us/Flickr
Instead of costly levees and seawalls, coastal ecosystems could offer an alternative way to protect Australia’s coastal communities from rising seas, saving money and storing carbon along the way. Sea…
Bleached and healthy corals on the Great Barrier Reef near Queensland’s Keppel Islands.
AAP
Australia’s coral reefs and mountain-top ecosystems are set to suffer from climate change, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s latest summary of the research. The threats to these…