New Zealand scientists issue dire warning on climate change

New Zealand is likely to suffer from a higher than global average rise in sea levels with the acceleration of climate change, bringing more frequent severe weather, according to a report from the country's leading science body on Tuesday.

Climate change, already underway, would almost certainly accelerate this century unless drastic action was taken to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases, said the report from the Royal Society of New Zealand.

Changes expected to impact New Zealand included at least 30 cm and possibly more than a meter of sea-level rise this century.

It was likely that the sea level rise around New Zealand would exceed the global average, which would cause coastal erosion and flooding, especially when combined with storm surges.

"Many New Zealanders live on the coast and two-thirds of us live in flood-prone areas so we are vulnerable to these projected changes," Professor James Renwick, chair of the expert panel who wrote the report, said in a statement.

"With a 30cm rise in sea level, the current 'one in 100-year' extreme sea event would be expected to occur once every year or so in many coastal regions."

More frequent extreme events would put pressure on housing, infrastructure and industry, and freshwater resources would also likely come under pressure, with decreasing annual average rainfall plus higher temperatures and increased demand from urban expansion and agriculture.

On land, existing environmental stresses to New Zealand's unique species would likely be exacerbated, with increased ranges for animal pests and weeds predicted.

While New Zealand agriculture could benefit from increasing global commodity prices in the long term, there are many negatives and all aspects of food security could be effected.

Royal Society of New Zealand president, Emeritus Professor Richard Bedford, said the report sought to provide a clear summary of the scientific evidence and projections of climate change and to identify the key risks to New Zealand.

"All New Zealanders will be affected and must be involved in the discussion," Bedford said in the statement.

The report prompted the main opposition Labour Party to call for political cooperation to develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"To date the government has dillydallied and not taken the imminent threat seriously," Labour climate change spokesperson Megan Woods said in a statement.

"Political partisanship is not the answer to one of the most pressing threats of our time." Endit