Climate change is a fundamental threat to life on Earth.
Here is its environmental, social, and economic impact on Australia:
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| Number of days each year where the Australian area-averaged daily mean temperature for each month is extreme. Extreme days are defined as those where daily mean temperatures are the warmest 1% of days for each month, calculated for the period 1910–2023. © Bureau of Meteorology |
- Extreme heat events: There has been an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves since 1970.
In 2019, there were 40 days with extremely high nationally-averaged mean temperatures, about 3 times more than any year prior to 2000. - Changing rainfall patterns: Southern Australia is experiencing decreasing rainfall during cooler months, while northern Australia has seen increased rainfall since the 1970s.
The intensity of heavy rainfall events has increased by 10% or more since 1979.
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April to October rainfall deciles for the 30 years from 1994 to 2023. A decile map shows where rainfall is above average, average, or below average for this period compared to all years from 1900 (when reliable national rainfall records began) to 1993. Areas across northern and central Australia that receive less than 40% of their annual rainfall from April to October are faded. © Bureau of Meteorology
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- Longer fire seasons: The number and length of periods of dangerous fire weather have increased since the 1950s, especially in southern Australia.
The 2024 State of the Climate Report indicates a continued increase in the number of dangerous fire weather days and a longer fire season for southern and eastern Australia.
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| There has been an increase in the number of days with dangerous weather conditions for bushfires. The map shows the change in the number of days per year (July to June) that the FFDI exceeds its 90th percentile of conditions observed from 1950–2024, between 2 periods: July 1950 to June 1987 and July 1987 to June 2024. The FFDI is an indicator of dangerous fire weather conditions for a given location. © Bureau of Meteorology |
- Rising sea levels and marine impacts: Sea levels around Australia continue to rise, increasing the risk of inundation and threatening coastal communities and infrastructure.
This trend is projected to continue, with more frequent coastal floods expected. Oceans around Australia have warmed by around 1°C since 1910.
The 2024 report warns of increased and longer-lasting marine heatwaves, affecting marine environments such as kelp forests and increasing the likelihood of more frequent and severe bleaching events in coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef.
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The rate of offshore sea level rise (in cm per decade) around Australia measured using satellite altimetry from 1993 to 2023, and onshore sea level rise (coastal points) from the multi-decadal tide gauge dataset from the Australian Baseline Sea Level Monitoring Project. The colour scale applies to both the altimetry and tide gauge observations. © Bureau of Meteorology and NOAA
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- Economic impacts: Climate change is already affecting Australia's economy, with severe droughts reducing the country's gross domestic product by about 1%. By 2061, climate change impacts on agricultural conditions could lead to annual average production losses between $750 million and $1.5 billion.
- Biodiversity threats: One in six species is at risk of extinction due to climate change, with Australia currently holding the title for the highest rate of mammal extinction in the world.
- Coral Bleaching: Rising ocean
temperatures and acidity are causing more frequent and
severe coral bleaching events, with the Great Barrier Reef experiencing five mass bleaching events in just
eight years.
- Health Concerns: Heatwaves, which are becoming more frequent
and intense, pose a
significant health risk, particularly to vulnerable populations such as the elderly and
infants.
Bushfires are also
impacting
air quality, while floods can contaminate drinking water supplies.
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| Six in 10 young Australians worry about climate change,with many experiencing extreme weather events first hand, according to a Mission Australia Youth Survey. |
- Displacement and Property Damage: Rising sea
levels and more frequent extreme weather events are
causing
coastal erosion and flooding, potentially displacing communities and damaging
homes.
By 2050, up to 2.6 million homes in Australia could be at
moderate or high risk
from climate change-related extreme weather.
- Disproportionate Effects on Low-Income Households: Low-income
earners are more likely to live in areas
vulnerable to climate change
impacts and have less capacity to adapt or relocate.
They also spend a higher proportion of their income on energy and water,
making them more
susceptible to price
increases in these essential services.
- Labor Productivity Decline: Increased frequency
and intensity of heatwaves are projected to result in significant work losses.
By 2061, between 700,000 and 2.7 million more days of work could be lost
annually due to heat-related issues
- Infrastructure Costs: More severe weather
events and rising sea levels will increase the risk of natural disasters,
leading to higher costs for
infrastructure damage and repair.
- Property and Insurance Impacts: Climate
change-related events are affecting
property values
and increasing insurance premiums, particularly in high-risk areas.
To address these challenges, Australia needs to implement comprehensive
strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, ensuring that
vulnerable communities are protected and the transition to a low-carbon
economy is equitable and just.
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