Government urged to act on sea level rise warning

The New Zealand government must address the threat that rising sea levels pose to coastal Kiwi homes, businesses and roads by taking urgent and decisive action to bring emissions down, says global conservation organisation WWF.

A report released today from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Preparing New Zealand for rising seas, sets out the impacts of rising seas on coastal towns and cities and argues for an overhaul in the way New Zealand prepares to deal with this reality.

Alex Smith, Senior Campaigner for WWF-New Zealand, welcomed the report and said the time for inaction is over. “The government has buried its head in the sand for too long over our rising emissions and what climate change will mean for our coastal communities.

“While this report highlights uncertainty about exactly how and when different areas will be affected, it emphasises that we must prepare wisely.

“We know our seas will continue to rise but by how much will depend on the actions New Zealand, and the world, takes now to cut emissions.”

In addition to thousands of homes being at risk—the report reveals there are at least 9,000 properties that lie less than 50 cm above spring high tides—there are billions of dollars worth of infrastructure built on low-lying land close to the coast.

A key recommendation of the report is that the Minister of Finance establishes a working group to assess and prepare for the economic and fiscal implications of sea level rise.

“Treasury must also take a long hard look at the figures. For too long they have focused on the short-term costs of climate action, and ignored the huge costs of inaction.

“We know there will be huge financial implications to the country from sea level rise that will affect people, property and infrastructure, and robust analysis is needed. One thing is certain – the longer we delay action the higher the costs.” said Alex Smith

“There is a lot the New Zealand government can be doing right now to reduce our emissions. We have the solutions, now we just need the political will.”

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