Research into climate change and waves

Media Statement - 10th September 2008

Penny WongMinister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, today released new research to improve understanding of how climate change might affect off-shore waves and the potential impact on our coastal zones.
The research investigated climatic conditions which could lead to changes in waves on Australia’s coast, including ‘extreme waves’ of around three metres or more.

The available modelled data suggests that over the past 45 years there has been an increase in the frequency of weather events which led to large waves being generated off Australia’s southern coast.