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https://theconversation.com/why-is-nz-spending-far-more-on-responding-to-climate-disasters-than-on-reducing-future-risk-289485>
"New Zealand is not on track to adapt to growing climate risks, nor is it
cutting emissions quickly enough, according to the latest reports issued by the
Climate Change Commission.
Last week, the commission published an evaluation of progress on New Zealand’s
adaptation plans, arguing that communities are exposed to greater risk of
damage and costs while the government continues to delay decisions about who
should pay.
Earlier this year, the commission pointed out that 97% of the government’s
spend on natural hazards since 2010 has been on responding to and recovering
from disasters, with only 3% going towards reducing future risk. Its latest
report warns that the present course risks making things worse.
Here are two examples of the challenges councils and home owners are already
facing.
In South Dunedin, about 6,000 houses are at risk of flooding and sea-level rise
this century. Following lengthy community engagement, seven possible responses
have been developed, ranging from pumping water to large-scale retreat. They
cost between NZ$2 billion and $10 billion and would save varying numbers of
homes.
The council has now asked for another more engineering-based response (pumps
and seawalls) to be added. But the commission warns such responses may
constitute “maladaptation” and calls for clearer direction and support from the
government.
Another example is insurance. Premiums have risen sharply since January 2023,
when Auckland experienced one of New Zealand’s worst floods. In flood zones,
some people (perhaps 4%, the commission estimates) cannot get insurance at all.
But “insurance retreat” – when people cannot afford to fully insure their home
– is potentially worse. The extent of retreat is not known, because data are
not collected."
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
