It’s important for everyone to know what the effects of climate change are, who is most at risk, what to do to prepare and how to cope.

An increase in hot days, hot nights and heatwaves can cause:

  • increases of chronic disease including heart, lung and kidney disease, which can lead to hospital admissions and death
  • reduced ability to exercise
  • reduced food availability due to damaged food crops
  • increased risk of food poisoning and water contamination.

Impacts of severe weather events

Severe weather events can cause:

  • injuries from flooding and bushfire
  • an increase in snake bites after floods
  • reduced food availability due to damaged food crops and difficulty transporting goods
  • an increase in bacteria and parasites in water
  • damage to health facilities and reduced access to care
  • an increase in asthma and lung disease during bushfires.

The forecast climate trajectory

Climate change is impacting South Australia now. South Australia is becoming hotter and drier, with more severe weather events such as flooding, heatwaves, and bushfires.

Climate change will affect everyone through worsened air quality due to increased dust and pollens, extreme weather events like fires and floods, and more frequent heatwaves.

To learn more about the projected climate trajectory visit Consultation and collaboration.

What you can do and how to cope

To stay healthy as we adapt to climate change, see further information about what to do to prepare in extreme weather events and how to cope: