CANBERRA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- A new study has warned Australians against moving to areas affected by climate change such as coastlines and bushland.
The study, which was published by researchers from the University of Canberra (UC) on Wednesday, found that housing developments in forests and on coasts are more vulnerable to extreme weather events caused by climate change and stretch emergency services thin during crises.
It called for development in at-risk areas to be prevented and for the planning and rebuilding of towns and cities to focus on climate-resilience.
"With the increasing potential for extreme events in the future, it's adding a very strong argument to again be revisiting our planning," said Barbara Norman, an author of the study and director of Urban and Regional Futures at UC. "Business as usual will not work... Ignoring this issue is not helping anyone."
Authors of the study warned that as housing continues to spread into at-risk areas insurance companies would either significantly increase premiums or refuse to insure properties in those areas entirely.
"The really tough question of resettlement will be the next big issue, both globally and locally," said Norman, whose family home was burnt down in the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.
"Ignoring it and not having a discussion about this tough question would not be helping those communities.
"Leading people with fear is an awful thing to do, but sitting down and leading people in a constructive way is a very positive thing to do." Enditem
