How is climate change already affecting New Zealand?
Written by: Hannah Milson
New Zealand unofficially is called the 8th wonder of the world due to the natural environment’s beauty and the development of both the economic and social sectors rely on the survival of New Zealand’s environment, but the pristine environment is not exempted from the worlds biggest challenge Climate Change. (Likely climate change impacts in New Zealand | Ministry for the Environment, 2019).
The science behind climate change.
Climate change, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is the noticeable change in the climate across time (decades or longer). This may be a consequence of natural cycles and/ or human behavior. (What is climate change?, 2019) Scientists have discovered that the world is warming, which researchers attribute to a rise of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, which triggers changes in weather conditions as well as the frequency and severity of severe weather events like heavy storms, heat waves, and droughts. (Evidence for climate change | Ministry for the Environment, 2019)
So how is climate change affecting New Zealand?
Currently, the two main effects of climate change being observed in New Zealand are changes in temperature and rainfall. (Likely climate change impacts in New Zealand | Ministry for the Environment, 2019) Even the smallest changes in each can affect agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, transport, and displacement of people. (Likely climate change impacts in New Zealand | Ministry for the Environment, 2019).
Changes in rainfall will see major increases in rainfall in some areas and severe droughts in other areas of New Zealand. In New Zealand, the South island particularly on the West Coast has already seen an increase in rainfall. The increase causes flooding which can and is destroying agriculture, homes, infrastructure, transport, and added pressure on drainage systems encourages more flooding. (Likely climate change impacts in New Zealand | Ministry for the Environment, 2019) In February 2020, the Ministry of Civil Defense declared a state of emergency after a record amount of rainfall was recorded in the Southland region with 1000mm of rainfall over 60hrs in the Milford region. (New Zealand – Emergency Declared After Floods in Southland, 2020) River and surface flooding alongside an unusually high tide caused damage to roading, homes, and urban centers with people needing to be evacuated from their homes in Gore and tourists left stranded in Milford due to slips and flooded roads. (New Zealand – Emergency Declared After Floods in Southland, 2020)
On the opposite side of the rainfall coin, other areas particularly in the North Island are experiencing drought. The long dry spells mean farming and agriculture suffer from a lack of water for stock, feed, and food production. (Likely climate change impacts in New Zealand | Ministry for the Environment, 2019) This then affects New Zealand’s meat and dairy exports and national food supply, as well as having long-term devastating effects on the soils affecting future agricultural production. (Likely climate change impacts in New Zealand | Ministry for the Environment, 2019) Long-term evidence of droughts due to climate change can be observed by looking at images of vegetation. These images can show stress on an environment in comparison to the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). (Hansen, 2020) In 2013 the North Island experienced its worst drought in 40 years, The estimated cost of droughts impact was a minimum, $1.3 billion. (2012-2013 Drought, n.d.)
Although long hot summers and mild winters don’t sound too bad, the extreme weather patterns that have been increasing over the last 4 decades are going to be more frequent and more polarizing. (Likely climate change impacts in New Zealand | Ministry for the Environment, 2019) Extreme seasonal changes, heavy rainfall, or lack of rain will challenge the economy, how we live, and New Zealand’s green image if we can not mitigate and adapt to climate change.
References
In text: (Floodlist.com. 2020.) New Zealand – Emergency Declared After Floods in Southland. [online] Available at: http://floodlist.com/australia/new-zealand-floods-southland-february-2020 [Accessed 2 March 2021].
In text: (Hansen, K., 2020.) New Zealand Browned by Drought. [online] Earthobservatory.nasa.gov. Available at: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146674/new-zealand-browned-by-drought#:~:text=The%202019%2D2020%20summer%20season,on%20record%20for%20the%20region. [Accessed 2 March 2021].
In text: (Mfe.govt.nz. 2019. Evidence for climate change | Ministry for the Environment.) [online] Available at: https://www.mfe.govt.nz/node/16597 [Accessed 2 March 2021].
In text: (Mfe.govt.nz. 2019. Likely climate change impacts in New Zealand | Ministry for the Environment.) [online] Available at: <https://www.mfe.govt.nz/climate-change/likely-impacts-of-climate-change/likely-climate-change-impactsnz [Accessed 2 March 2021].
In text: (NIWA. n.d. 2012-2013 Drought.) [online] Available at: https://niwa.co.nz/climate/nz-drought-monitor/2012-2013-drought [Accessed 2 March 2021].
In text: (Orc.govt.nz. 2019.) What is climate change?. [online] Available at: https://www.orc.govt.nz/managing-our-environment/climate-change/what-is-climate-change [Accessed 2 March 2021].