19 August 2026
Insuring Tasmania's Future: Rising Risks and the Fight for Affordable Coverage

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A Tasmanian Policy Exchange analysis reveals how escalating climate risks and regressive tax structures are pushing home insurance out of reach. The authors outline key policy reforms and local adaptation efforts needed to secure Tasmania's future.
Researchers from the Tasmanian Policy Exchange write for Policy in My Backyard (PIMBY) about the escalating crisis of home insurance affordability as climate change increases natural disaster risks in Tasmania. Read the full article on Policy in My Backyard.
This analysis underscores a critical climate justice issue: rising premiums are hitting lower-income families and vulnerable rural communities the hardest. Under current projections, the number of Tasmanian households paying over $1,000 just for fire and flood cover is expected to more than double to 41,000 properties by 2040, forcing many to under-insure or abandon coverage entirely.
To prevent a future where thousands of Tasmanians are left financially exposed, the authors argue that we must address the root causes of risk. Key policy pathways include reforming regressive state insurance taxes, investing in local resilience projects�such as community flood levees and active bushfire fuel management�and halting new developments in high-hazard zones.
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17 September 2026
A Year Since Australia's Climate Risk Assessment: Have We Listened?
Andrew Watkins writes on The Conversation about the lack of progress following Australia's first National Climate Risk Assessment. Read more on The Conversation.
It has been one year since the federal government released its first National Climate Risk Assessment, identifying 63 nationally significant risks—from surging disaster recovery costs to ecosystem collapse. For Tasmania and the wider nation, this report was a vital warning, yet the government's response has been marked by delays and a lack of legislative commitment to future assessments.
While the report highlights the catastrophic potential of extreme weather, the government continues to approve fossil fuel project extensions and subsidise coal and gas corporations. This disconnect between scientific evidence and policy action poses a severe threat to our climate resilience and long-term security.
The TCC highlights that without urgent investment in climate science, adaptation, and a genuine shift away from fossil fuels, we are simply hurtling towards the very risks the experts have warned us about.
Please call, email or meet with your local federal MP and Senator if you want them to do better.
16 September 2026
A New Generation of Climate Scenarios: What CMIP7 Means for Our Future
Carbon Brief writes on the future of climate modelling and the new CMIP7 scenarios. Read more on Carbon Brief here.
These new scenarios represent a significant shift in how scientists predict our climate future. By moving away from unrealistic, high-emissions 'business-as-usual' models and instead focusing on the implications of current policies—whether they are strengthened or weakened—we get a much clearer, albeit sobering, picture of the reality we face.
Why this matters for climate action:
- Realistic Projections: The 'high' end of the scenario range has dropped significantly, reflecting the global shift toward renewables and the declining plausibility of a coal-dominated 21st century.
- The 1.5C Reality: The models suggest that some level of 'overshoot' of the Paris Agreement targets is now likely unavoidable, highlighting the urgent need for both rapid decarbonisation and effective carbon removal strategies.
- Policy-Driven Futures: Instead of vague 'radiative forcing' labels, scenarios are now named by their emissions trajectories, making it easier to see how specific policy choices—from strengthening mitigation to rolling back progress—will directly impact warming.
For Tasmania and the broader climate movement, this underscores that while the most extreme 'doomsday' scenarios of the past may be less likely, the path to staying within safe limits is narrower and requires more decisive action than ever before.
15 September 2026
Fossil gas is a public health issue: An open letter to the Federal Government
Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) is writing an open letter to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Health regarding the risks of fossil gas. Concerned supporters can sign the letter and read more on the DEA website.
This letter highlights that fossil gas is not just an environmental issue, but a direct public health threat. From respiratory illnesses in the home to the broader climate impacts of methane emissions and extreme weather, the risks are widespread and indefensible.
For Tasmania, as we transition to a renewable future, understanding these health-related drivers is crucial. The letter calls for:
- A clear timeline for phasing out fossil gas.
- Support for communities to disconnect from gas networks and replace appliances.
- Ensuring the gas industry bears the costs of health and environmental harms.
15 September 2026
Building Food Resilience in Far South Tasmania
Far South Food Resilience Program writes on their website about food security frameworks in regional Tasmania. Read more at https://farsouthfood.org.au/.
The program identifies six critical dimensions of food security: availability, access, utilisation, stability, agency, and sustainability.
For Tasmania, strengthening these local food systems is a vital component of climate resilience. By ensuring our regional communities can feed themselves sustainably without compromising the environment, we build a stronger defense against the disruptions caused by a changing climate.
