Antinuclear

Victoria’s Baillieu government is making the State’s climate problem worse

Environment Victoria chief executive Kelly O’Shanassy accused the Baillieu government of neglecting efforts to
reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions – such as by dumping the
state’s emissions reduction target.
”It defies logic that our government could understand the risks
climate change poses to Victorians and then knowingly make the problem
worse.”….

Climate threat to state assets, The Age, January 7, 2013 Tom Arup
VITAL public infrastructure in Victoria including hospitals, schools
and police stations is under increased threat of damage as climate
change intensifies.
A consultancy report has warned that billions of dollars worth of
infrastructure covered by the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority is
exposed to the impacts of natural disasters such as bushfires and
floods.
The intensity and frequency of such disasters are forecast to increase
as the planet warms. The report says this will threaten infrastructure
insured by the authority, potentially exposing the agency – and
ultimately taxpayers – to higher recovery and insurance costs……
Environment Victoria chief executive Kelly O’Shanassy said: ”Because
of climate change, Victorians are exposed to more frequent and
dangerous weather events such as bushfires and floods, which pose a
grave risk to life and property.
”This report shows that state assets will also be affected,
increasing insurance costs that will ultimately be borne by the
taxpayer.”
Ms O’Shanassy accused the Baillieu government of neglecting efforts to
reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions – such as by dumping the
state’s emissions reduction target.
”It defies logic that our government could understand the risks
climate change poses to Victorians and then knowingly make the problem
worse.”….
The report says an increase in bushfires has the greatest potential to
cause escalating costs for the insurance authority. There was also
major exposure to increased river floods, with billions of dollars in
insured assets located in threatened areas. It also warns that climate
change could increase the insurer’s exposure to public liability
lawsuits.  http://www.theage.com.au/environment/climate-change/climate-threat-to-state-assets-20130106-2cbfm.html#ixzz2HKly8uRl

January 7, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change - global warming, Victoria