Cumulative climate change influences and hazards affecting the Sunshine Coast

Climate change projections indicate that low-elevation areas along the Queensland coastline will experience increasing adverse effects of submergence, coastal flooding and coastal erosion due to sea-level rise. Current and future climate change scenarios pose significant risks to coastal populations, economies, communities and the natural environment. Without planned pathways and predetermined trigger points for adaptation, coastal environments will remain susceptible to geophysical, hydrological and meteorological hazards. This paper describes hazards (heatwaves, bushfire, floods, storm surges, cyclones and coastal erosion) that impact on lowland areas of the Sunshine Coast region. This assessment is done in the context of converging disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies using a framework of Define-Analyze-Implement-Reassess.