Study Projects A$855 Billion in Australian Coastal Damage by 2100

New peer-reviewed research projects that sea-level rise and storm surge could cause A$855.1 billion in present-value losses across Australia by 2100 under an intermediate emissions scenario. The estimate covers 1,156 coastal subregions, including 267,500 properties and 2.0 million hectares in six states and the Northern Territory. Property losses account for A$274.3 billion and land-use losses A$580.7 billion, while Western Australia has the largest projected state total at A$230.5 billion. The authors say their estimate is conservative because it excludes some environmental, cultural-heritage and infrastructure losses.