Several commentators, in responding to my post on an anticipated change in the Albertan mindset post-flood, expressed doubt that it would shift the views of climate-change deniers, and compared it to the aftermath of a similar event in Queensland in 2011. (Posts in Price Tags here and here.)
So I thought I would ask a good friend in Brisbane, Greg Vann, who I knew would have a considered perspective both as a planner and one who provided expert input to the Queensland Commission of Inquiry.
What, I asked him, was the impact of the floods on opinion about climate change in Queensland?
Here’s Greg:
Interesting question! I’d say that for a while the 2011 floods made climate change a more topical issue, but in the public arena it has since slipped back to views based essentially on ideology rather than science (deniers -v- zealots -v- true believers!).
The report and recommendations of the Flood Inquiry has had some influence on councils drafting new planning schemes (e.g. Brisbane City Council) who have attempted to cover climate change impacts in their flood hazard codes, so I think it is fair to say that the 2011 are still having an impact at a technical level.
The way coastal planning is playing out here is interesting too. The Newman State government sidelined the State Planning Policy on Coastal Management adopted late in the Bligh government time, as it was very unpopular with the development industry. It was heavy on responding to climate change.
The government has since put out a draft single State Planning Policy designed to capture all state interests, which at least deals with the coastal hazard issue and you’ll see the link to guidance material there for coastal hazard management, which in turn discussed climate change and appears to just accept the current IPCC view. And the flood guidance material basically reflects the approach of the Flood Commission recommendations.
So I ‘d summarise it by saying that even though the whole issue has become politicized by the deniers and zealots, in practice it is having some effect on policy.
