"Our Marine Environment 2025, painted a sobering picture for the country's oceans and coasts one defined by warming and rising seas, intensifying marine heatwaves and ocean acidification, brought about by global heating. Climate change isn't just something far and distant it has impacts on our ocean and on our coast, Dr Alison Collins, the ministry's chief science adviser, told the Guardian. The coastal zone is under a real squeeze and the importance of that coastal environment is absolutely critical"
"The report presented a wide array of risks associated with the marine changes, including threats to indigenous marine species, coastal inundation and flooding of homes, as well as stronger and more devastating storms, and risks to communities and the economy. It noted 219,000 homes worth $180bn were located in coastal inundation and inland flood zones, while more than $26bn worth of infrastructure was vulnerable to damage. About 1,300 coastal homes could face significant damage from extreme weather."
Oceans around New Zealand are warming 34% faster than the global average. Marine heatwaves are intensifying and ocean acidification is increasing due to global heating. Sea levels are rising, with some regions projected to gain 20–30cm by 2050. That rise could make formerly centennial storms occur more frequently. About 219,000 homes valued at NZ$180bn lie in coastal inundation or inland flood zones, and over NZ$26bn of infrastructure is vulnerable. Around 1,300 coastal homes face significant damage risk from extreme weather. Indigenous marine species, communities, and the economy face mounting threats.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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