Australian climate minister visits tropical island
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Australian Climate Change Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday visited a low-lying tropical island off Queensland to see how vulnerable it was to rising sea levels.
Saibai Island's main village is about two meter above sea level and it has suffered from flooding and erosion, Senator Wong noted during her visit.
Wong has released a report detailing the threats climate change posed to indigenous communities across Australia's tropical north.
The report, written by Senator Wong's department, found these communities were at risk from rising sea levels, ocean acidification and its effects on coral reefs and fish, more rain in the rainy season, and more cyclones.
"Indigenous communities face particular challenges because of their isolation and socioeconomic situation," Senator Wong told Australian Associated Press as she launched the report.
"Helping these communities to adapt to unavoidable climate change must be a priority, as for many Torres Strait residents relocation is simply not an option."
The government last week has delayed its main weapon against climate change, an emissions trading scheme (ETS), by at least three years.
It was due to start this year but will now start some time from 2013.
The labor government has crashed in the polls following the ETS backflip and was now behind the Coalition.
Queensland is a state of Australia that occupies the north- eastern section of the mainland continent.
