Author’s words of warning on climate
If Antarctica’s glaciers melted, the sea level around the Southland coast could rise by at least 3.4 metres – that’s about the height of a single-storey house – in the next 100 years or so.
Rising sea level was the greatest environmental issue facing New Zealand and other Pacific nations this century, author and environmentalist Neville Peat said.
He would be speaking about the issue, which he had tackled in his latest book, The Invading Sea, during the Catlins Summer Programme next month.
This was amid global concerns about the impact of climate change and rising sea levels on the world.
Peat had written about coastal hazards resulting from climate change, and how communities, councils and government could adapt to a rising sea and the prospect of more damaging storms.
Scientific research showed the last time the world was this warm was three million years ago.
It had been reported that on average, global temperatures were increasing by 2.5 degree Celsius per year, which would result in a big ice-melt in the nearby Antarctic.
Environment Southland had stated that a rise of even half the level predicted could be catastrophic and parts of Invercargill, such as Gladstone, Prestonville and Grasmere, could have to be abandoned if sea levels rose between 70cm and 1.4m by 2100.
Southland and Invercargill’s situation, although of concern, was not as grim as parts of Dunedin, where Peat had based his findings.
‘‘Dunedin’s main concern is South Dunedin where 2700 dwellings lie less than half a metre above high tide, and essential infrastructure such as the main wastewater treatment plant is also low-lying.’’
The Clutha/Catlins region did not face the coastal hazard challenges that confronted Dunedin, because settlement near high tide was sporadic and limited, he said.
‘‘But there are estuaries that will feel sea-level rise by the end of this century and cliffs that will become more threatened by storm surges and regional and district councils need to be planning for that. Some roading may also be threatened by erosion or flooding.’’
It could not be ignored that the sea was rising, and erosion and flooding were persisting along many parts of New Zealand’s shoreline; in fact there was evidence that our islands were gradually shrinking, Peat said.
The coast was ‘‘the dynamic frontline’’, he said.
‘‘What you see in this environment is a moving target and an unfolding narrative, pulsating with cumulative risk, property damage and human drama.’’
What should be done about it – and who should pay, was also debated in his book.
Peat was closely involved in studying, mapping and measuring the coastal areas around his Dunedin base during his 12 years with the Otago Regional Council.
The Catlins Summer Programme, featuring several key events and speakers, begins on Wednesday. Peat would be speaking at the Owaka Community Centre on January 12 at 7.30pm.