Defence climate change oversight is critical

A

ustralia's failure to address climate change will cause a significant national security threat, according to a report by the Centre for Policy Development.

Ignoring climate change
 is a critical oversight
 - Prof Kate Auty.

The report, called The Longest Conflict: Australia's Climate Security Challenge, says Australia's Defence Force is underprepared for climatic events like extreme heat, rising sea levels and more frequent natural disasters.

It warns of escalating regional tensions over food and growing numbers of internally displaced people and refugees.

A report in the Melbourne Age says that a new Defence white paper is due later this year, but senior Defence officials told the Centre for Policy Development climate change is unlikely to be seriously addressed.

Those aware of the dangers arising from climate change, among them Victoria’s former Environment Commissioner and now a Vice Chancellors Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Professor Kate Auty, believe ignoring climate change and its impacts is a critical oversight.

Read The Age story - “Climate change: Longest Conflict Report warns Defence Force underprepared”.