<
https://theconversation.com/wetlands-have-saved-australia-27-billion-in-storm-damage-over-the-past-five-decades-153638>
"Australia is in the midst of tropical cyclone season. As we write, a
cyclone is forming off Western Australia’s Pilbara coast, and earlier in
the week Queenslanders were bracing for a cyclone in the state’s far
north (which thankfully, didn’t hit).
Australia has always experienced cyclones. But here and around the
world, climate change means the cyclone threat is growing – and so too
is the potential damage bill. Disadvantaged populations are often most
at risk.
Our recent research shows 54 cyclones struck Australia in the 50 years
between 1967 and 2016, causing about A$3 billion in damage. We found the
damages would have totalled approximately A$30 billion, if not for
coastal wetlands.
Wetlands such as mangroves, swamps, lakes and lagoons bear the brunt of
much storm damage to coast, helping protect us and our infrastructure.
But over the past 300 years, 85% of the world’s wetland area has been
destroyed. It’s clear we must urgently preserve the precious little
wetland area we have left."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
