The areas of Australia set to swelter through an increase in scorching days

Zara Zadro - 9NEWS

Attribution: iStock

It's no secret that Australia, like the rest of the world, is heating up.

So much so that, by 2050, seven regions across the country are on track to spend 90 days or more with temperatures over 35 degrees per year, according to research from the Climate Council.

It released the data ahead of the upcoming federal election, highlighting the electorates most likely to experience a spike in extremely hot days if current levels of action on climate change are maintained.

"Progress is being made to cut climate pollution, but we need to pick up the pace," Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie said.

"As Australians go to the polls, we must understand that the next government's climate policies will determine the type of future our kids experience."

Federal electorates facing the biggest increases in sweltering days

Grey, South Australia 27 more days over 35 degrees The South Australian seat of Grey will experience 27 more days a year over 35 degrees by 2090, making a total of 96 days a year.  This will include 19 days more over 40 degrees a year, up to 39. By 2050, Grey will already see 87 days annually over 35, an increase of 19 from now. Grey includes the majority of SA outside of Adelaide, including Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Port Augusta (pictured), and Port Pirie, and its south border touches the Barossa Valley.	Attribution: Getty
O'Connor, Western Australia 28 more days over 35 degrees O'Connor in Western Australia is set to experience 98 sweltering days over 35 by 2090 – an increase of 28 from current levels – as well as 39 days over 40. By 2050, it will have 90 days a year over 35 degrees, an additional 20 days from now.  O'Connor spans a broad area across the state's south, including Albany, Kalgoorlie, and Esperance.	Attribution: iStock
Parkes, NSW 32 more days over 35 degrees The NSW electorate of Parkes - physically the largest in the state - will sweat through an additional 32 days over 35 by 2090, for a total of 87 annually. It covers Broken Hill, Dubbo, Forbes and Parkes, and is one of the state's poorer electorates. The area will also see 21 days a year over 40 degrees by 2050, and 27 by 2090.	Attribution: Getty
Flynn, Queensland 38 more days above 35 degrees Flynn in south-east Queensland, a predominantly rural area, will have 69 days a year above 35 degrees by 2090, an increase of 38. It includes towns such as Biloela and Emerald, and swaths of farming land.	Attribution: Getty
Capricornia, Queensland 40 more days above 35 degrees Capricornia, which borders Flynn, will have 40 more days above 35 degrees by 2090, adding up to 77 days a year. Home to the picturesque beach town Yeppoon, it also contains vast amounts of native forest.	Attribution: Getty
Maranoa, Queensland 43 more days above 35 degrees Maranoa is Queensland's largest electorate, spanning towns including Roma, Surat and Mitchell. Its temperatures are forecast to reach over 35 degrees for 134 days a year in 2090, an increase of 43 from today's figures. In 2050, the electorate will have 120 days when the mercury passes 35.	Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Durack, Western Australia 48 more days above 35 degrees Covering all of northern Western Australia, Durack is the largest electorate in the whole of the country, reaching from the coast to central Australia. Its landscapes vary, from tropical coastal towns like Broome to desert. Durack will have 172 days a year above 35 degrees by 2050 and 186 days by 2090, increases of 34 and 48 respectively. That means the electorate will experience temperatures of above 35 degrees for around half the year in 25 years' time.	Attribution: Getty
Leichhardt, Queensland 54 more days above 35 degrees Home to tropical paradises like Cairns and Port Douglas, Leichhardt in Far-North Queensland is getting hotter. It will have 98 days above 35 degrees by 2090, an increase of 54. By 2050, places like Cairns will already be feeling the heat, with 78 days a year above 35 degrees.	Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Kennedy, Queensland 57 more days above 35 degrees The seat of Kennedy in north Queensland is home to small towns like Ingham and Innisfail, and tropical banana and mango crops. The electorate is set to sweat through 167 days above 35 degrees by 2090 and 146 days above 35 degrees by 2050 – increases of 57 and 36 respectively.	Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Lingiari, Northern Territory 57 more days above 35 degrees Coming in equal with Kennedy is Lingiari –Australia's poorest electorate, with the largest town being Alice Springs. Home to a large Indigenous population, Lingiari encompasses all of the Northern Territory outside Darwin and its surrounds. The Climate Council says it is on track for 57 extra days with the mercury hitting 35, for a yearly total of 188. The area will also see 58 days a year above 40, an increase of 33.	Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Solomon, NT 132 more days above 35 degrees The electorate of Solomon, which covers Darwin and its surrounds, tops out the list. According to the Climate Council data, it will spend 173 days above 35 degrees by 2090, an increase of 132 from today's levels. By 2050, the figure will be 129 days per year.	Attribution: Getty

Links

• People in cities at greater risk of dying in heatwaves: study
• Australia's ocean surface was hotter than ever in 2024, in bad news for sea life
• Doomsday Clock set closer to midnight due to lack of 'positive progress'
• Iceberg the size of Australian territory heading towards penguin-packed island
• Earth records hottest year ever in 2024, making record jump in temperature
• 'Underwater bushfire': WA's Ningaloo corals hit by widespread bleaching
• Last year was Australia's second hottest ever - and the world's hottest

Climate Change Threat to Australia's Wildlife - Lethal Heating Editor BDA

Climate change is having severe and wide-ranging impacts on Australia's wildlife, threatening many species and ecosystems across the country.

Recent studies and reports highlight the following key impacts:

Increased extinction risks

• As of 2025, a total of 2,212 ecological communities, plants, and animal species are now threatened with extinction in Australia, largely due to climate change. more
  In 2023 alone, 144 new species were added to the national list of threatened wildlife, the highest number since the list was established in 1999. more

Habitat changes

• Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are altering habitats. more
  For example, many species of eucalyptus trees may be exposed to temperatures and rainfall conditions outside their current tolerance ranges by 2040, severely impacting species like koalas. more

Marine life impacts

• The Great Barrier Reef has experienced four mass bleaching events since 2016, affecting coral ecosystems and the marine life they support. more

Changes in animal behaviour

• Recent studies show that crocodiles in northern Australia are experiencing higher body temperatures due to climate warming, which is altering their behaviour. more

Amphibian threats

• Climate change has contributed to recent extinctions of four frog species in Australia by making amphibian diseases, such as chytridiomycosis, more virulent. more

Extreme weather events

• The increased frequency and severity of bushfires, floods, and droughts are causing direct mortality, displacement, and increased predation risk for many species. more

Specific species impacts

• Green turtles in the northern Great Barrier Reef are experiencing a dramatic shift in population demographics, with 99% of hatchlings being female due to warming temperatures. more
• The Carnaby's black cockatoo is becoming increasingly vulnerable to intense heatwaves. more
  
• Mountain pygmy possums, numbats, and tree kangaroos are facing emerging threats due to climate change. more

Long-term consequences

• It is estimated that up to 20% of Australia's plants and animals could be threatened with extinction due to climate change and other factors. more

Summary

• These impacts underscore the urgent need for climate action and conservation efforts to protect Australia's unique biodiversity.
  The situation is particularly critical for Australia and New Zealand, which have been identified as hotspots of extinction risk in a changing climate. more

Links

• Climate change devastates Australia's wildlife
• 3 billion animals harmed by Australia's fires
• Australia's biodiversity threatened by climate change 
• Unique Aussie wildlife threatened by climate change
• Tracking the climate threat to Australia's unique ecosystems 
• Species on the move around the Australian coastline 
• Impacts of Climate Change - The Australian Museum

AUSTRALIA: Climate Change February Review - Lethal Heating Editor BDA

Climate change continues to profoundly impact Australia across various dimensions, including social, economic, ecological, cultural, and political spheres.

Social Impacts

• Australians are increasingly experiencing the direct effects of climate change, such as intensified heatwaves, bushfires, and floods.
  These events have led to heightened public awareness and concern, influencing community behaviours and attitudes toward environmental sustainability.
  A significant majority of voters believe it is crucial for Australia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Economic Impacts

• The economic landscape is undergoing significant changes due to climate change.
  A recent study warns that a rapid shift away from gas without adequate renewable infrastructure could lead to increased activation of coal and gas plants during peak demand, potentially adding $22 billion in consumer costs and higher electricity prices.
  Conversely, investments in sustainable technologies, such as the $8 million study to produce aviation fuel from sugar cane waste in Queensland, aim to reduce emissions and support cleaner energy alternatives.

Ecological Impacts

• Australia's ecosystems are under severe stress from climate change.
  The country has experienced higher temperatures, more extreme droughts, intensified fire seasons, and increased flooding.
  These changes threaten biodiversity, with rising sea levels exacerbating the situation by intensifying high-sea-level events and endangering coastal habitats.

Cultural Impacts

• Climate change is incrementally destroying Indigenous places and cultural values.
  Many cultural sites remain unidentified or undocumented due to population displacement, restricted access to traditional lands, and impacts on cultural practices.
  This loss poses a significant threat to the preservation of Indigenous heritage and knowledge.

Political Impacts

• Politically, climate change remains a contentious issue.
  Debates over policies, such as the rapid electrification of households and the transition from gas, highlight divisions among political parties and stakeholders.
  Recent polling data indicates challenges for traditional parties in electorates like Wentworth, where climate-focused independent candidates maintain strong support.
  Additionally, discussions about integrating nuclear energy into Australia's energy mix have emerged, with reports suggesting that delays in overhauling the energy grid could significantly impact national emissions targets.

Summary

• Climate change is intricately influencing Australia's social fabric, economy, ecosystems, cultural heritage, and political discourse.
  Addressing these multifaceted challenges requires coordinated efforts across all sectors of society.

Links

• Assessing the impact of a nuclear pathway on Australia’s emissions
  
• Australian voters’ attitudes to climate action and their social-political determinants
• Australia funds Queensland study to produce aviation fuel from sugarcane waste
• Impacts of Climate Change
• Climate Change Australia Outlook and Impacts
•  Liberals attack Climate 200 data as 'push polling'
• Liberals attack Climate 200 data as ‘push polling’ by Liberals’ heartland out of reach, Climate 200 polling finds
• $22bn power shock looms from 'rushed' gas exit
• Australian Council of Social Service Community Sector Climate Change Declaration
• Extreme weather is Australia's new normal 
• Australia: Climate change and extreme events 
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Sea temperature

GLOBAL: Climate Change February Review - Lethal Heating Editor BDA

Climate change continues to profoundly impact Earth's social, economic, ecological, cultural, and political systems, disrupting livelihoods, intensifying natural disasters, altering ecosystems, increasing inequalities, and challenging governance structures worldwide.

Here is an overview of recent developments:

Social Impacts

• Health Risks: Rising global temperatures have led to longer and more intense heatwaves, and increasing health issues such as heatstroke and respiratory problems.
  Additionally, the expansion of mosquito habitats due to warmer climates has increased the risk of vector-borne diseases like malaria, potentially exposing over 5 billion people by 2040.
• Seasonal Shifts: Climate change is altering seasonal patterns, with studies indicating that summers could extend to six months by the end of the century.
  This shift affects agricultural cycles, water resources, and biodiversity, leading to challenges in food security and ecosystem stability.

Economic Impacts

• Energy Sector Adjustments: In response to sustained fossil fuel demand, major energy companies are revising their strategies.
  For instance, BP has abandoned plans to cut oil and gas production, opting to maintain investments in traditional energy sources.
  This decision reflects the complex balance between transitioning to renewable energy and meeting current energy needs.

• Climate Finance Initiatives: During its G20 presidency, South Africa is prioritising climate finance to assist developing nations in transitioning to low-carbon economies.
  Despite reduced financial support from key contributors, there is a concerted effort to mobilise funds to meet the Paris Agreement's temperature goals.

Ecological Impacts

• Oceanic Changes: Recent studies suggest that while a total collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is unlikely this century, significant weakening is probable.
  Such changes could lead to increased floods, droughts, sea-level rise, and more severe storms, affecting billions globally.
• Record-Breaking Heat: In 2024, two-thirds of the Earth's surface experienced unprecedented heat levels, with average monthly temperatures significantly surpassing previous records.
  This trend underscores the escalating impact of human-induced climate change and the urgent need for emission reductions.

Cultural Impacts

• Lifestyle Adjustments: Increased extreme weather events and shifting seasons are prompting changes in daily life and cultural practices.
  Communities are adapting to new agricultural timelines, altered festival dates, and modified traditional practices to align with the changing climate.
• Public Awareness and Activism: There is a growing global movement advocating for climate action, with increased participation in environmental campaigns, sustainability initiatives, and policy advocacy.
  This cultural shift reflects a heightened collective consciousness regarding environmental stewardship.

Political Impacts

• Policy Revisions: The European Union remains committed to its climate goals but plans to ease certain green policies to support industries facing economic challenges.
  Initiatives include raising over $A200 billion for clean manufacturing and reducing regulatory demands on small and medium enterprises.

• Regulatory Challenges: In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency's leadership has urged reconsideration of the 2009 endangerment finding, which identifies greenhouse gases as a threat to public health.
  This move could impact the foundation of numerous climate regulations and reflects ongoing debates over environmental policy.

These developments highlight the need for coordinated efforts across all sectors of society in meeting the challenges posed by climate change.

Links

• Two-thirds of the Earth’s surface experienced record heat in 2024
  
• How Climate Change Will Affect the Seasons 
• Total collapse of vital Atlantic currents unlikely this century, study finds
• 2023 in climate change
  
• EU to keep climate goals but loosen rules for companies, says green chief 
• EPA head urges Trump to reconsider scientific finding that underpins climate action, AP sources say