Lawrence Yule: Sea changes must be addressed

Lawrence Yule.

During my childhood, I would join with my family and travel to the beach for our annual holiday. It was always great fun but now it appears that you won't have to travel as far for your summer holidays. In some parts of New Zealand the beaches are actually coming to us.
Last Thursday the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment released a timely and sobering document on climate change and sea level rise. The commissioner is an independent employee of Parliament and is able to produce information that is without political bias.
The report outlines the issues associated with the biggest change to face the planet in the next 100 years. It clearly identifies many issues that will affect the coastline around New Zealand, and Hawke's Bay is not immune.
The pace of sea level rise is increasing, with the level predicted to rise 30cm by 2050 and 100cm by 2100. Storm surges are also expected to increase on the east coast by 1.5m in the same time frame.
Now, I don't want to cause alarm but it is a fact that Hawke's Bay Airport is just 50cm above sea level. The global phenomenon of sea level rise has become a political minefield. Multilateral agreements, insatiable demands for energy, three to five-year electoral cycles, rapid, global population growth all make the reduction of emissions an extremely complex subject. However, there was a bright light at the recent G20 summit, when President Obama finally acknowledged that global warming is a key world issue.
In my role as President of Local Government NZ, I have constantly pushed for more cohesive thinking between local and central government on managing what is occurring around our coastline and the effect on our rurally based economy. We must consider better management of our fresh water resource (including storage) and make long term and robust decisions around settlement patterns around the coast and possible defence mechanisms against sea level rise.
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council has taken a leading role in exploring water efficiency and storage and it should be congratulated for this. Equally HBRC, NCC and HDC have begun leading-edge work on what sea level rise will mean for the coast from Cape Kidnappers to Tongoio. This is a first for New Zealand and while the findings will no doubt be sobering, we actually need to understand what is happening.
At the same time, the Insurance Council is sending very clear messages that the risks associated with land that is subject to sea level rise, are likely to make infrastructure uninsurable. Local Government has a legal responsibility to warn people of these risks via LIM reports, just as has recently occurred with liquefaction. While putting a line on a map has a real value impact for affected parties, it is the responsible thing to do. It is totally inefficient to continue trying to resolve these issues with countless court cases and a variable approach around New Zealand.
Additionally, we should not underestimate the effect of climate change on our Pacific neighbours. Many of these islands will be unable to support their current populations. This is not because of anything they have done but I expect New Zealand and Australia will be asked for further support including resettling some of their residents.
Councils and residents around the country need to assess their understanding of the impacts that climate change and sea level rise will have on their own assets and be aware that there will be a real cost. Sea level rise will also impact on aquifers through an increase in salt water intrusion and there will be hydraulic gradient changes to flood protection schemes.
Opening dialogue on this subject with the people of Hawke's Bay will be difficult; however there is no escaping that this is a serious issue. Politicians who enter into a conversation on these subjects are traditionally punished, as many argue that it won't impact them or if it does, it will be years away.
Living by the sea is a dream for many and comes complete with a high quality of life and high priced real estate. In certain parts of New Zealand these communities will have to decide whether to defend or retreat. Equally all ports, a large number of airports and significant rail and road corridors are located on these same coastal margins.
Climate change will require massive decisions to be made around central and local government policy. None of it will be easy, however the sooner we begin the conversation the better it will be for future generations of New Zealanders.
I urge you to read the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's report on climate change and sea level rise. It is easy to read and will provide you with an understanding of the complexities that surround this subject.
# Lawrence Yule is mayor of Hastings.