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Australia

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Torres Strait Islanders

Background info

Erosion in threatening their Islands and their Culture
Increasing levels of Flooding, submerging Islands
Many of the islands are s low-lying and exposed to sea level rise
Sea labels are projected to increase by 30 inches over the next 100 years
Increasing air and sea temperatures and changes to ocean acidity bring risks to the region's environment, community health, local economies, infrastructure and services.
The outlook for health and wellbeing:
Increase heat stress, increased transmission of diseases (often mosquito borne)
Increased reliance on better hygiene standards,
Mental stress arising from the possibility of future displacement and other climate stressors
broader disruption to economies and infrastructure that divert resources from the health sector and undermine health resilience.
The outlook for land and sea:
Torres Strait Islanders Changes in ocean temperature and chemistry will negatively impact many marine species and ecosystems, in particular coral reefs, seagrass meadows (and therefore dugong and turtles).
Increased rainfall in PNG catchments may lead to reduced water quality in the northern Torres Strait.
Changes in rainfall and seasons and hotter days and increased risk of bushfires will negatively impact terrestrial (land) plants and animals.
Sea-level rise is a major threat to mangroves, coastal areas, coastal ecosystems and coastal amenity.
The outlook for infrastructure and services:
Extreme weather is likely to disrupt services and damage infrastructure.
Changing temperatures, increased variability and changes in air and ocean chemistry will decrease the lifespan of infrastructure.
Sea-level rise and storm surge threatens some key maritime, aviation and road transport infrastructure.
Warmer temperatures and mosquito borne disease pose a risk to water security.
Increased fire risk is also a threat to some infrastructure.

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