Climate change set to widen the gap between rural and urban Australia

07.08.16 By
This content is more than 7 years old

Climate change is likely to worsen the systemic disadvantages suffered by rural and regional communities and further widen the gap between rural and urban areas, a new Climate Council report has revealed.

The ‘On the Frontline: Climate Change & Rural Communities’ report finds the increase in extreme weather events is disproportionately affecting those in rural areas, with many agricultural businesses using financial reserves or taking on increased debt in response to extreme weather events.

“But the positive news is that tackling climate change provides an unrivalled opportunity to attract jobs and investment back to these communities,” the Climate Council’s Professor Lesley Hughes said.

“Rural areas receive about 30-40% of investment in renewables in Australia, valued at $1-2 billion per year.”

The report also found:

Co-author Dr Lauren Rickards said the risks posed by climate change threatened exacerbate many of the social, health and economic challenges already being experienced by those in regional areas.

“In addition to affecting agricultural production, climate change affects rural communities in many far-reaching ways, increasing the cost of essential goods and services, devaluing community assets and degrading places we love. Rural and regional communities are often poorly equipped to deal with the health impacts of higher temperatures,” she said.

“While all Australians will be affected by these challenges, those living in rural communities will be worst affected.”

Climate Council chief councillor Tim Flannery said strong climate action was required to protect those living rural and regional areas from worsening impacts.

“Rural and regional communities are living on the frontline of impacts of worsening extreme weather but they are also on the frontline of the solutions,” he said.

“The new projects in renewable power provides enormous opportunities for new income streams and real prospects for energy self-sufficiency, particularly for those in the bush.

“People in the bush look after themselves and each other and they’re already getting on with the job in adapting farming practices and implementing solutions for climate change.

“Now it’s time for our political leaders to match their effort and take the action we need to tackle climate change.”

For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Jessica Craven on 0400 424 559 or jess@climatecouncil.org.au