Beyond the Hot Debate: Social and Policy Implications of Climate Change in Australia

Abstract

This paper discusses the social and policy implications of climate change on theworld�s most arid populated continent. Warmer average temperatures will have real, identiable impacts on human health, marginalized sectors of the population, and the sustainability of rural and coastal communities in Australia. By analysing indica-tors of environmental health and social welfare we can identify emerging threatsposed by a warmer climate. Policy-makers will need to devise a suite of social policyand technologically-driven mitigation programmes in order to safeguard citizensagainst the most complex and far-reaching environmental and policy problem ofthe 21st century. Furthermore, the Australian federal government has a valuable opportunity to effect positive change in the Asia-Pacic region through its leadership in this policy area and funding programmes that promote the establishment oflow-emission economies in developing nations. Show more