Pollution and climate change

 

As the climate changes, south-eastern Australia is likely to face more extreme weather: hotter and drier summers, less frequent but more intense rainfall, and flooding. 

As our summers become warmer and drier, our cities are likely to experience more dust, smog and poorer air quality, leading to an increased risk of respiratory illness and asthma. Earlier and more extreme wind gusts are also likely to bring more grass seeds and other allergens into our cities, increasing the likelihood of asthma and hay fever in sufferers. 

Also, long dry spells and less rainfall mean lower flows in our rivers and stormwater drains. This can lead to reduced water quality in waterways and a build-up of rotting matter in stormwater drains and outflows.

Flooding and intense stormwater runoff can lead to the washing of surface and soil nutrients, chemicals and pathogens into our waterways. It can also cause sewage effluent from ruptured pipes to come up to the surface and enter stormwater systems, resulting in high E. coli levels and other contaminants entering our waterways, and increasing risks to our health.

Intense and extreme weather can increase the likelihood of ground subsidence (creeping salinity), expose previously contained and sealed soil, and lead to groundwater contamination.