CARITAS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

20 November 2015

Government needs to urgently prepare for rising seas

The government needs to urgently prepare for the impact of rising sea levels, both in New Zealand and in Pacific Island nations, says Catholic social justice agency Caritas.

“Caritas welcomes the report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, which warns around 9,000 low-lying New Zealand homes are most at risk from sea level rise in coming decades,” says Director of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, Julianne Hickey.

“This prudent and forward-looking document is based on sound science and we need to face this new reality. As a nation, we need to prepare for ways in which we will support the vulnerable communities identified in the report. The long-term impacts cannot rest only on the shoulders of the most affected individuals and families.”

Mrs Hickey says Caritas supports the Commissioner’s recommendation that a working group be established to assess and prepare for the implications of sea level rise, and that the government should set aside funds for climate change adaptation in New Zealand.

“We hope the government will recognise this is a transition that New Zealand must prepare for, and one that many Pacific nations are already experiencing," she says.

Many of these experiences have been documented in Caritas' recently released State of the Environment in Oceania reportCaring for our Common Home. The report describes the serious effects of climate change that are already being felt around the region.

“Right now, people in the Pacific are relocating out of need, and there is precious little to help them. We are assisting the Carteret Islanders in Papua New Guinea to build a new life on mainland Bougainville, as their islands are eroding away and they are receiving almost no support from their government. We know of many other communities in Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Kiribati that are facing similar threats right now,” Mrs Hickey says.

On our own shores, Caritas Board member and South Dunedin parish priest Fr Gerard Aynsley says the country cannot afford to wait until it's forced to act when areas such as South Dunedin or Lower Hutt become unliveable.

“Many people of South Dunedin struggle on a day-to-day basis, and this is another longer-term problem that requires cooperation between the local communities, local government and central government.”

Global sea levels have risen 20cm since 1900 and scientists estimate it will rise another 30 cm even if we cut carbon emissions tomorrow.

“The report shows it is imperative for New Zealand to support a strong climate agreement in Paris, do all we can to cut emissions as rapidly as possible, and increase funds for climate change adaptation – both at home and abroad,” says Mrs Hickey.

ENDS

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