Australia’s decision-makers and scientists need to predict when and where risks such as fire, storms and floods are going to happen so people are better prepared for the inevitable shocks they cause.

That’s the view of leading environmental scientist Allen Kearns. He told the Future Forum in Melbourne on Thursday that 90% of Australians now live in the capital cities and along the coast, and the size of houses has increased by 30% in the past 20 years.

And Mr Kearns, Deputy Chief of CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, says tackling climate change is not just about using less materials and energy.

“It is not new buildings but the existing ones that pose the biggest opportunity for reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. “Individuals and institutions need to make changes in their behaviour.”