Indeed, Australia might not be significantly threatened by climate change right now, the indirect impact that it brings from pacific islands to Australia could be huge and newsworthy to local media as well as Australians.
Locating in Oceania and being surrounded by pacific nations, Australia has a strong bond with island countries like Fiji and Tuvalu that was constantly impacted by climate change. While being a member of The Pacific Forum, Australia has agreed to be responsible to work in support with other forum member governments so as to enhance the economic and social well-being of the people of the South Pacific by fostering cooperation between governments and between international agencies, and by representing the interests of Forum members in ways agreed.
With the constant increase in green house gases, sea water level and temperature in pacific nations has risen significantly through out the last decades, which could bring potential negative impact on economic and social issues on Australia. Taking Fiji as an example, according to the World Bank report, climate threats to Fiji’s society and economy include:
· higher rates of disease as average temperatures rise;
· increasingly destructive storms as oceans get warmer and weather patterns become more severe;
· and disruptions to agriculture as the intrusion of saltwater damages existing farmland.
· On Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, these factors are expected to contribute to economic damages of up to $52 million per year, or roughly four percent of Fiji’s gross domestic product
In which, Australia could be greatly affected with negative economic impact that brings to Fiji by the climate change.
Looking back to 2013, the Australian Government has provided $35million of assistance to Fiji in response to Tropical Cyclone Winston. to provide ongoing reconstruction support to Fiji, aimed at returning life to normal, giving Fijians back their schools, medical clinics and livelihoods.
Despite being the biggest trading partner of Fiji, there are up to 50,000 Fijians who live and work in Australia and over 300,000 Australians visit Fiji each year. Australian investment in Fiji worth $1.7 billion in 2013, while two-way trade between two country worth over $1.8 billion annually.
To conclude, with the mutual economic reliant between pacific nations and Australia, the Australian media should pay more attention onto climate change in threatened country.
Reference
http://fiji.embassy.gov.au/suva/relations.html
http://newsroom.unfccc.int/cop-23-bonn/how-fiji-is-impacted-by-climate-change/
https://www.ifad.org/documents/10180/9054c140-a03c-4c6e-ae9e-ab9d7972dd19