Treading water in a changing climate: The vulnerability of Australia's tropical islands to sea level rise (2011-2014)

Our understanding and capacity to respond to rapid sea level rise is emerging as a major liability for Australia. While the latest international scientific consensus estimates that the global ocean will rise by a minimum of 1 m by 2100, we are ill-prepared to respond to the impending challenges for coastal ecosystems, human communities and infrastructure. This project will define the challenges, vulnerabilities and solutions for part of Australia's coastal geography (>1,100 islands on the Great Barrier Reef and in Torres Strait). In doing so, it will build a major program on sea level rise which will integrate Australia's significant expertise and recent scientific investments to answer the questions and challenges that lie ahead.