United Nations Sustainable Development
Goal 13: Climate action
Inform and support government. Inform and support local or regional government in local climate change disaster or risk early warning and monitoring.
Supporting Climate Risk Monitoring and Early Warning Systems at UniSC
The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) plays a vital role in supporting local and regional governments to prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters through research, data-driven insights, and collaborative initiatives.
UniSC’s contributions include:
- Climate risk research and modelling: UniSC researchers develop location-specific climate risk assessments, focusing on hazards such as bushfires, coastal erosion, flooding, and heatwaves. These models help inform early warning systems and disaster preparedness strategies for local government and emergency services.
- Real-time environmental monitoring: Through sensor networks and remote sensing technologies, UniSC monitors key indicators such as rainfall, temperature, soil moisture, and sea level rise. This data is shared with regional and governmental authorities to support timely decision-making.
- Community resilience and adaptation planning: UniSC works with local governments to co-design climate adaptation plans that reflect the needs and vulnerabilities of coastal and hinterland communities. These plans integrate Indigenous knowledge, ecological data, and social impact research.
- Training and capacity building: UniSC offers workshops, short courses, and expert consultation to build the capacity of local government staff and emergency responders in climate risk management and disaster response.
- Policy and planning support: UniSC researchers contribute to regional climate strategies and disaster management frameworks, ensuring that evidence-based approaches guide policy development and infrastructure planning.
- Community engagement and capacity building: UniSC facilitates workshops, forums, and training programs for local government staff, emergency responders, and community leaders to strengthen climate literacy and disaster readiness. In November 2024, the Sunshine Coast Police and partner agencies tested their emergency response capabilities on a simulated tsunami event at UniSC. The exercise provided the opportunity to evaluate disaster plans and community impacts. The exercise's aim was to enhance communication and coordination across local, district, and state disaster management teams.
Summary
Through these collaborative efforts, UniSC not only supports local decision-makers in developing effective coastal governance strategies but also fosters a sense of ownership and engagement within the communities. This participatory approach ensures that the solutions are sustainable and widely accepted, ultimately enhancing the resilience of coastal regions to climate change and other environmental challenges.
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