Senator Wong was responding today to a parliamentary report that warns thousands of kilometres of the nation's coastline are at risk from a rise in sea levels and extreme weather.

The report suggests improving evacuation routes for coastal families and flags new powers that would allow Canberra to block what it sees as inappropriate beachfront developments.

The Rudd government has seized on the report today as evidence Parliament should support an emissions trading scheme designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

But Senator Wong admitted today an ETS alone will not stop the rising sea levels that the report warns could devastate heavily populated areas across Australia.

“This is one of the consequences of climate change and we simply can't ignore it,” she told Radio 2UE.

“It confirms the sorts of impacts that we risk. (But) It has to be part of a global solution, we've always said that.

“It is the case that scientists vary in terms of the extent of sea level rise.”

Asked if the government would move to block future coastal developments, Senator Wong said she was very much of the view that “we need to take a cooperative and coordinated approach”.

“Obviously what governments need to do at all levels is to act on this risk. These are scientific assessments of potential risks and we would be I think irresponsible as politicians to pretend these risks don't exist. That's why we've got to act now. Because of course we know the impacts will worsen if we don't act.”

Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce, a climate change sceptic, dismissed suggestions the report is evidence the Senate should support an emissions trading scheme.

“If we end up with an ETS the sea levels will still rise, you will just have a massive tax when you try and rebuild,” Senator Barnaby Joyce said.