Western Australia's Kimberley region will suffer catastrophic rising heat unless further action is taken to reduce climate emissions, research warns.
The Australia Institute is projecting a dramatic increase in days in excess of 40C across towns including popular tourist destination Broome.
Based on data from the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO, the think tank is predicting an average of 62 extreme heat days per year in Broome by 2090 - a tenfold increase on the current average - without a reduction in emissions.
In Kununurra, the number could spike to 204 days per year.
"The region's indigenous population already face disproportionate rates of chronic illness and poverty," Australia Institute director Richie Merzian said.
"Increasing extreme heat will mean people's health will deteriorate further.
"Fortunately, these climate projections are not inevitable. If emissions are reduced in line with the Paris Agreement, these increases in heat can be largely avoided."
Australia has pledged to reduce emissions by 26 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 as part of the Paris agreement.
However government projections show more than half that target will be achieved through carryover credits from achieving goals of the Kyoto protocol.
Australian Associated Press
