Climate Smart Adaptation
Cover of Climate Smart Adaptation report
Acrobat versions available at the end of this page.
Hard copies are available by emailing to rouseabout@nrm.qld.gov.au
Queensland Cabinet released a public discussion paper Climate Smart Adaptation in November 2005 that outlines what is happening to our climate and explores some possible responses to the projected changes.
Queenslanders were invited to community meetings around the State from November 2005 to February 2006 to discuss how to deal with climate change. They were also encouraged to send in ideas.
Submissions closed on 3 March 2006. The submissions came from individuals and groups, researchers, businesses and industry. The Queensland Government is analysing the comments and will draw up a Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan this year that complements the Queensland Greenhouse Strategy.
The discussion paper was prepared by NRMW and the Environmental Protection Agency. Public meetings were hosted by NRMW in Logan City, Gold Coast, Caloundra, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba, Roma and Longreach. Local Council and Community Group discussions were also held.
Ministers' message
Queensland has an enviable lifestyle and economy, and a great natural environment–and much of it is due to our climate.
Our climate, however, is changing. Queensland has become hotter and drier, particularly since 1950, and science suggests this trend will continue, which may seriously affect this great State.
The changes observed over the last century cannot be explained by natural influences alone. Human activities are helping to change our climate. Increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and other influences such as ozone depletion, dust, air pollution and land clearing all played a part.
Queensland's climate could be more variable and extreme in the future, with more droughts, heatwaves and heavy rainfall. Maximum temperatures and heavy downpours will probably be beyond our current experiences, which will make our State's climate different from the one we currently enjoy.
The Queensland Government released the Queensland Greenhouse Strategy in 2004 as a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing climate change impacts. The objectives of the strategy are to:
- Foster greater knowledge and understanding of greenhouse issues and climate change impacts;
- Reduce greenhouse emissions throughout Queensland, and facilitate carbon sequestration; and
- Help Queenslanders adjust to the environmental, social and economic impacts that climate change might cause.
Greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change are worldwide problems that cannot be solved by government alone. We must all work together on this issue.
Through sensible adjustments we can maintain Queensland's lifestyle and ensure the State remains socially and economically prosperous. We can also exploit the opportunities presented by climate change, if we adopt an attitude that is open to change, creativity and innovation.
Climate Smart Adaptation is an opportunity for Queenslanders to share their views on how we should prepare ourselves for climate change. We encourage you to read this discussion paper and share your views and ideas so that our economy remains vibrant, and we preserve our State's great natural environment and enviable lifestyle for future generations.
Henry Palaszczuk MP
Minister for
Natural Resources and Mines
Desley Boyle MP
Minister for
Environment, Local Government, Planning and Women
- Discussion paper (PDF, 1.7M, last updated 01:38PM, 5 December 2008)*
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated: 15 June 2009