GARRY PAGE: DIRECTOR, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS

In a world of increasing disasters and uncertainty, changing climate and the impact of this change is one of the largest and most complex challenges humankind faces. The impacts are already devastating lives and livelihoods.

Every day at the Australian Red Cross, we witness the human impacts of climate change. We see the detrimental health and social impacts brought on by more frequent and intense disasters and crises. In Australia, we have faced some of the most significant disasters in our history, including the devastating 2019/20 bushfires and most recently, the Queensland, New South Wales, and Victorian floods. By 2050, the total economic cost of natural disasters in Australia is expected to be around $33 billion.

We need to lead and influence the conversation on the human impacts of an increase in both the numbers and severity of climate events. It is critical long-term sustainable funding is available before a disaster strikes to enable communities to better prepare.

The infrastructure losses after every disaster are immense and highly visible. What is far more unseen, but equally devastating in magnitude are the psychological and social impacts. A disaster can lead to the disruption of people’s lives for years. We need to keep strengthening our psychological and social well-being support so people and communities can better recover. There is a shared responsibility between government, individuals, non-profit organisations, private enterprise and communities to be actively prepared to respond and recover from natural disasters.

Beyond Australia, Asia-Pacific nations also face immense challenges with climate crisis and displacement. Climate change has significant implications for Pacific Island populations, many of whom reside in coastal areas and rely on natural resources for their livelihoods and well-being. Pacific Island people – such as in Tonga, Tuvalu, Nauru, and Kiribati – are already dealing with the threat of climate-induced migration. In the Pacific, at least 50,000 Islanders are at risk of being displaced by the impact of disasters and climate change each year.

Though every effort should be made to ensure that people can stay where they live, it is also important to recognize that migration can also be a way for people to cope with environmental changes. Efforts made to protect the rights of migrants can ensure migration provides substantial benefits to both origin and destination locations, as well as to the migrants themselves. Climate-induced migration has only recently received policy consideration and the development of responsible migration policies, practices and laws will be critical.

A strategic focus for all levels of government must be long-term sustainable funding and planning for disaster preparation.