Title: Impact on Australia and Pacific Islands of climate change due to enhanced greenhouse effect

Authors: W. J. McG. Tegart

Addresses: Secretary, Australian Science and Technology Council and Co-Vice Chair, Working Group II, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Australia

Abstract: Climate in any particular region of the Earth can change due to many factors. Potentially one of the most significant is changes in atmospheric concentration due to increased emission of greenhouse gases. This could lead to significant changes in temperature and precipitation on a regional basis with significant effects on regional economies and societies. Potential impacts on Australia are discussed for agriculture and forestry, hydrology and water resources, human health and coastal zones. The particular problems facing the islands of the South Pacific are outlined and some case studies are reported.

Keywords: climate change; carbon dioxide; crops; diseases; El Nino; greenhouse effect; impact assessments; pests; sea-level; Australia; Pacific Islands; greenhouse gases; GHG emissions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1993.028499

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1993 Vol.3 No.1/2/3, pp.31 - 42

Published online: 18 Sep 2009 *

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