Warmer temperatures and changing rainfall patterns create ideal conditions for mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, Ross River virus, and Murray Valley encephalitis to spread further south.
Donald
Trump's America is rapidly abandoning climate action with the winding
back of EPA climate protections the latest policy shift. (Reuters/Tuane Fernandes)
AUTHOR
Alan Kohler is finance presenter and columnist at ABC News. He also writes for Intelligent Investor.
While
markets and media were chasing Donald Trump’s tariff fiasco last week,
something far more important happened in East Palestine, Ohio.
The
new head of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lee Zeldin,
chose the fire station in that tiny village between Pittsburgh and
Cleveland to announce that he was "driving a dagger through the heart of
climate change religion", as he put it.
Zeldin is rolling back 31 environmental rules
(Make America Dirty Again?) including the EPA’s 2009 finding that
greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, which has been the
legal basis for all US action against climate change.
The
new head of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lee Zeldin,
has portrayed concern over climate change as a "religion" and overturned
the EPA’s 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and
welfare. (AP: John Minchillo)
Meanwhile
in Brazil, the government is clearing a swathe of the Amazon rainforest
for a road to get 50,000 delegates to the next UN climate change
conference – COP30 – to held, weirdly, in the remote city of Belem in
November.
Bulldozing the Amazon
rainforest is a fitting way to mark 30 years of failure, of annual
gabfests that have released colossal amounts of carbon dioxide from the
mouths of the well-meaning, and burned tonnes of aviation fuel to get
them there, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions not one bit.
In those three decades, human use of fossil fuels has increased 54 per cent.
The
withdrawal of America, and the influence that will have on other
countries and companies, means the COP30 delegates might as well stay
home this year.
The global
effort to prevent climate change which began with COP1 in Berlin in 1995
and peaked two years later with a burst of optimism in Kyoto, is pretty
much over; it’s dead.
There are two other reasons for this:
China
talks, and does, a big game about renewable energy, but is frantically
building coal-fired power stations. Last year it added 100GW of coal
capacity, five times Australia’s entire coal-fired capacity, another
94.5GW is under construction and 66.7GW more has been approved.
To
reach net zero, at least 2 billion tonnes of carbon, and possibly as
much as 5 billion, will have to be sequestered in new trees because
carbon emissions definitely won’t be zero in 25 years. Yet there simply
won’t be enough new trees planted. Many of those supplying emitting
companies with offset certificates are getting away with saying that a
tree not cut down is the same as a tree planted.
The cost of success
Energy scientist, Vaclav Smil
puts the total cost of achieving net zero by 2050 at $US444 trillion,
or $US17 trillion a year for 25 years, “requiring affluent economies to
spend 20 to 25 per cent of their annual GDP on the transition”.
Torres
Strait Islanders on the front line of climate change are fighting a
landmark lawsuit to save their vanishing ancestral homes. But is it too
late?
Only once before
in history has that much money been spent – in World War 2. This time
the spending would have to last three decades, not five years, and no
country is contemplating anything like that.
So
net zero by 2050 won’t happen and the increase in global temperature
will not be limited to the 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial
levels that was agreed as preferred at Paris in 2015 – nowhere near it.
Current
policies and pledges put the world on track for around 2.5–3°C of
warming, but if emissions remain high and predicted tipping points are
reached, 4°C is likely later this century.
At
that point, scientists tell us, large parts of the planet be will
uninhabitable, and the parts that aren’t uninhabitable will be more
unpleasant and dangerous.
Why have we failed to limit warming?
Before
we get on to what 3–4°C of warming means for Australia, it’s worth
reflecting on why this has happened. Why has 30 years of talking and
earnest good intentions failed to prevent global warming?
Obviously,
a big part of it is the fossil fuel industry’s success in turning
climate change into a political issue instead of a scientific one,
persuading the right side of politics that it’s all part of a left woke
conspiracy, even a “religion”, with the right-wing media facilitating
that project, led by Rupert Murdoch.
But I think the more fundamental reason is the scientific community’s failure to tell the truth.
There
has been systemic reticence on the part of scientists to spell out
what’s actually going on, first because science is inherently uncertain,
so they are always reluctant to be definitive, and second because they
worry that if the true nightmare was revealed, politicians and everybody
else would either refuse to believe it or just give up.
So
science says 1.5°C of warming and avoiding the extremes of climate
change are achievable, and the way politics and media work, that is
taken to mean it will be achieved, no problem.
In fact it is now very unlikely, and Australia should do what France is doing and refocus on adapting to reality.
The reality of a 3-4°C temperature rise
On
the same day that Lee Zeldin was stabbing climate change religion to
death with his dagger, the French minister for “ecological transition”,
Agnes Pannier-Runacher released a 377-page report titled Le Plan National d’Adaptation, designed to prepare France for 4°C of warming. Four degrees!
My
French is limited, but the plan looks quite inadequate for the
catastrophe that sort of rise in global temperature would bring. At
least they are thinking about it.
As
global temperatures climb, climate scientists say some of the things
that made Tropical Cyclone Alfred unique could be a taste of the future.
For
Australia, warming of 3-4°C would see the complete destruction of the
Great Barrier Reef, constant flooding of south-east Queensland and
northern NSW, cyclones as far south as Coffs Harbour, frequent bushfires
everywhere else, and a massive refugee flood as Bangladesh and Pacific
Islands are inundated.
Apart from the refugees, preparing for that risk is largely a matter of infrastructure and insurance – in other words, money.
About
25 per cent of Queensland households are currently uninsured, according
to the Actuaries Institute. As premiums rise, that number will
increase.
In south-east
Queensland, 70 per cent of houses were built before the 1970s. All of
them are in Region B of the National Construction Code (NCC), which
means they are not built to withstand a category 2 cyclone.
If
Cyclone Alfred had not become a tropical low before hitting the
Queensland coast, and had stayed Category 2, many thousands of families
would have been financially ruined. Their uninsured houses would have
lost their roofs or collapsed.
The next cyclone, or the one after that, will likely remain as Category 2.
Insurance reality bites
Separately,
almost all households in Australia are underinsured because of the
roughly 40-50 per cent rise in building costs since the pandemic, which
is reflected in very few replacement sums in insurance policies.
As
Cyclone Alfred was peaking in the Coral Sea in late February, the
Insurance Council of Australia released a new report titled Advancing Australia’s Resilience, directed at influencing policies for the coming federal election and reducing the cost of insurance.
It recommended $30 billion of spending on infrastructure, as follows:
Deliver new critical flood defence infrastructure ($15 billion)
The
ICA is talking mainly about floods, which it says is the second biggest
component of insurance premiums (tax is the biggest – GST and stamp
duty).
The
$30 billion would be spent building levies along river banks and around
towns, raising houses onto stilts and simply helping families move out
of flood plains by buying their unsaleable properties – that is,
reducing risk and thereby lowering premiums and get more houses insured.
Needless to say, the government has filed the report under 'M' for maybe later, with a copy under 'V' for vested interest.
But
the reality is that without that kind of spending, and probably much
more, it will be impossible to live in much of regional Australia, and
the cities are already over-crowded.
That is, of course, unless it’s all a new green woke scam religion.
Researchers say 50,000 years of healthy life lost annually in Australia to weather-linked cardiovascular disease.
Researchers have reported a link between
cardiovascular issues and hot weather, forecasting that heart disease
could double or triple in the next 25 years if current climate trends
continue.
In a report published on Monday, researchers in Australia said they had found that 49,483 years of healthy life
were lost every year to cardiovascular disease caused by hot weather.
They warned that under current climate trends, the impact of extreme
weather is set to multiply in the coming decades.
“When the weather is hot, our hearts must work harder to help us cool
down. This added pressure can be dangerous, especially for people with
cardiovascular disease,” said Professor Peng Bi from the University of
Adelaide.
The researchers calculated that 7.3 percent of the total burden due to cardiovascular disease or death could be attributed to extreme weather conditions.
Modelling suggests that the figure could
double or even triple by 2050, depending on different greenhouse gas
emission scenarios outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, according to the report.
The physiological pathways of human heat strain. The Lancet
‘First study of its kind’
“Although our study is focused on Australia,
the fundamental link between higher temperatures and increased
cardiovascular risk has been documented globally,” said lead author
Jingwen Liu from the University of Adelaide.
Liu noted that the research was “the first of
its kind globally”, adding that “our comprehensive approach makes the
study valuable for planning future climate change adaptation and
mitigation strategies”.
The authors also found that there was scope
for lowering the impact of high temperatures on cardiovascular disease
with strategies helping people to adapt.
“Our findings also call for urgent investment
in adaptation and mitigation strategies, including urban cooling plans,
public health campaigns and improved emergency responses during hot
weather,” said Bi.
Australia’s fossil fuel exports have doubled twice in the past three decades—from 1990 to 2005 andagain from 2005 to today.
48% of the world’s internationally traded metallurgical coal and 19% of thermal coal originate from Australia, making it the largest and second-largest exporter of each, respectively.
Australia’s liquefied gas exports have increased seven-fold since 2005, with the country now producing 20% of all internationally traded LNG.
Since 2021, despite global warnings, Australia has approved 30 new coal and gas projects under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act with more approved under the offshore oil and gas regime.
Australia’s fossil fuel pipeline will add more still. A conservative selection of the projects currently being planned in Australia would create as much as 18.6 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions—equivalent to 6.2% of the world’s remaining 1.5°C carbon budget.
Australia’s exported fossil fuel emissions will be 3.3 times larger than its domestic emissions within five years.
Political bipartisanship across successive Australian governments has
overseen a massive expansion of oil, gas and coal production despite
promises to act on climate change over the last three decades, a new
report suggests.
The report, Exporting Harm: The Climate Toll of Australia’s Fossil fuel Expansion,
by the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, a diplomatic
and civil society campaign to create a treaty to stop fossil fuel
exploration, expansion and set up a managed phase-out of oil, gas and
coal use, to examine Australia’s track record on climate change.
It
found that despite its rhetoric, Australia has worked to establish
itself as “a fossil fuel behemoth” over the past three decades since the
International Panel on Climate Change released its First Assessment
report in 1990, with the country exporting increasing amounts of fossil
fuels even as its domestic emissions have fallen.
In the fifteen
years after the release of the First Assessment Report, the burden of
Australia’s fossil fuel exports doubled. It doubled again between 2005
and 2020, driven by a massive increase in coal and gas exports.
During this time the Australian government was variously led by both
Labor and the Coalition, in what Michael Poland, campaign manager for
the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative in Northern New South Wales said was
“a bipartisan consensus on expanding coal and gas.”
“At least
Russia is somewhat honest about being a major fossil fuel producer,”
Poland said. “I think for me that fossil fuel exports have doubled twice
in the past three decades really just shows how deeply ingrained
bipartisan support for the fossil fuel industry is.
“Both major
parties have had a bipartisan position on expanding oil and gas. In the
wake of years of cyclones and floods and heatwaves, it’s really time to
break that repetitive cycle.”
With the focus of international
agreements like the Paris Climate Agreement focussed on the domestic use
of oil, gas and coal, Poland said the US, Canada and Australia have
been able to rely on the “drug dealers defence” – idea that exporters
are just filling a demand and that if they don’t sell a particular
fossil fuel, someone else will – to justify continuing fossil fuel
expansion.
Poland, whose family live in northern New South Wales and who have
been without power since Thursday just before Tropical Cyclone Alfred
made landfall, said the findings were particularly “surreal given the
circumstances.”
“The thing I’ve been thinking about at night
while I’ve had no power is that the Albanese government has approved 19
fossil fuel projects since the 2022 Lismore floods and that the PM this
week could come back to Lismore and not take responsibility for the
impact those decisions are having on events like this and communities
like ours,” he said.
The report found 48% of the world’s
internationally-traded metallurgical coal and 19% of thermal coal
originated in Australia, making the country the second-largest exporter
of each, respectively.
Australia’s LNG exports have increased
seven-fold since 2005, with the country now producing 20% of all
internationally-traded LNG.
Meanwhile the country currently has
30 new coal and gas projects at various levels of development, with a
conservative estimate suggesting this could add 18.6bn tonnes of
greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
The possibility that a
cyclone such as Tropical Cyclone Alfred might make landfall in South
East Queensland was previously described in 2021 as a “nightmare scenario” by the Australian insurance industry owing to high population density in the region.
Australia
has been increasingly rocked by large natural disasters likely to have
been made worse by climate change in recent months and years, including
bushfires outside Perth and in regional Victoria, a developing drought
in South Australia, widespread flooding across New South Wales in 2022
and the Black Summer Bushfires.
As of 2021, climate change was costing the country $39bn a year, with this figure expected to rise to $73bn by 2060.
Currently
16 governments have endorsed a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
including the governments of Colombia and Pakistan, and Pacific
countries such as Fiji, Nauru, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste,
Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Tonga.
Sydney heatwave, bushfires, seawall construction, renewable energy.
Following is a review of climate change related events in Australia for the week ending 16/3/2025:
1. Heatwave and Bushfire Risks in New South Wales
New South Wales experienced a severe heatwave, prompting authorities to issue a total fire ban for Sydney due to elevated bushfire risks.
Temperatures soared, increasing concerns about potential fires across the region. Link
2. Debate Over Seawall Construction in Collaroy and Narrabeen
A seawall was constructed between Collaroy and Narrabeen, suburbs on Sydney's northern beaches, in response to significant erosion that threatened local properties.
This development has sparked debate among residents and experts regarding its long-term effectiveness and environmental impact.
Some coastal scientists and environmental groups warn that such structures might increase erosion and alter beach dynamics, while some residents feel it offers temporary security. Link
3. Criticism of the Coalition's Nuclear Energy Proposal
Dr. Jonathan Pershing, a former U.S. special envoy for climate change, criticised the Federal Coalition's proposal to adopt nuclear energy, labelling it the most expensive option compared to alternatives like solar power paired with battery storage.
He highlighted the global trend away from new nuclear projects due to high costs and lengthy implementation timelines, suggesting that renewable energy sources offer more cost-effective and reliable solutions. Link
4. Sydney's Record-Breaking Heat
Sydney faced potentially record-breaking heat, with temperatures reaching unprecedented levels for this time of year.
The city anticipated relief with an upcoming cool change, but the unusual heat underscores the increasing frequency of extreme weather events linked to climate change. Link
5. Australia's Progress Towards Climate Goals
The latest Quarterly Update of Australia's National Greenhouse Gas Inventory reported emissions at 440.6 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent for the year up to June 2024, marking a 0.7% decrease compared to the previous year.
This reduction aligns with Australia's ongoing efforts to meet its climate commitments and transition towards a low-carbon economy. Link
What are the most recent climate
trends in Australia (e.g., temperature, rainfall, extreme
weather events)?
How have these trends changed
compared to previous years?
What regions are experiencing the
most significant climate shifts?
ANSWERS
Current
Climate Trends
Australia's climate has undergone notable changes in recent years,
characterised by rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and
an increase in extreme weather events.
Temperature Trends
Since national records began in 1910, Australia's average surface
air temperature has risen by approximately 1.51 ± 0.23 °C, with most
of this warming occurring since 1950. Each decade since 1950 has been
warmer than the preceding one, aligning with global warming trends. LINK
Rainfall Patterns
Rainfall trends in Australia exhibit regional and seasonal
variations:
Northern Australia: An increase in rainfall has been
observed over recent decades.
Southwestern Australia: A decline in rainfall,
particularly during the cool season, has been recorded.
Southeastern Australia: A decrease in cool-season
rainfall has been noted, affecting water availability and
agricultural productivity. LINK
Extreme Weather Events
The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have risen:
Heatwaves: There has been an increase in the number of
extreme heat events. LINK
Bushfires: Longer fire seasons with heightened bushfire
risks have been observed. LINK
Heavy Rainfall and Flooding: More intense heavy rainfall
events have led to increased flooding in various regions. LINK
Regional Climate Shifts
Certain regions are experiencing more pronounced climate shifts:
Southeastern Australia: This area has seen a significant
increase in extreme heat events and a decrease in cool-season
rainfall, contributing to prolonged droughts and heightened
bushfire risks. LINK
Southwestern Australia: A marked reduction in rainfall,
particularly during the cool season, has impacted water resources
and agriculture. LINK
Northern Australia: An increase in rainfall has been
observed over recent decades. LINK
These trends underscore the pressing need for adaptive strategies to
mitigate the impacts of climate change across Australia's diverse
regions.
QUESTIONS
How is climate change affecting
Australia's unique ecosystems (e.g., Great Barrier Reef, the bush,
rainforests)?
What species are at the
greatest risk due to climate change?
How have bushfires and droughts
changed in frequency and severity?
ANSWERS
Impact
on Environment & Biodiversity
Climate change is profoundly impacting Australia's unique
ecosystems, leading to significant environmental challenges.
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef faces severe threats from climate change:
Coral Bleaching: Rising sea temperatures have caused
four mass coral bleaching events in the past seven years, reducing
shallow water coral reefs by up to 50%. LINK
Severe Weather Events: Increased frequency and intensity
of cyclones and storms have caused significant damage to coral
structures. LINK
Habitat Changes: Warmer waters are forcing marine
species to migrate southward, disrupting existing ecosystems and
increasing competition for resources. LINK
Bush
Australian bush is experiencing heightened vulnerability:
Deforestation: An average of 620,000 hectares of forest
and the bush have been cleared annually over the past five years,
weakening natural defences against climate change. LINK
Increased Bushfires: Climate change has led to more
frequent and intense bushfires, devastating vast areas of the
bush. LINK
Rainforests
Tropical rainforests, particularly in northeastern Australia, are
under threat:
Species Extinction: Climate change poses significant
extinction risks for species in these rainforests. LINK
Species at Greatest Risk
Several Australian species are highly vulnerable to climate change:
Amphibians: Species from mountain, island, and
freshwater ecosystems face increased extinction risks. LINK
Marine Species: Starfish, sea snails, and flying fish
are increasingly vulnerable to climate change-related stressors. LINK
Iconic Species: Green turtles, ringtail possums, and
black cockatoos are among those threatened by climate change. LINK
Changes in Bushfires and Droughts
Climate change has altered the frequency and severity of bushfires
and droughts:
Bushfires: There has been an increase in the frequency
and intensity of bushfires, leading to significant wildlife losses
and habitat destruction. LINK
Droughts: Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall
patterns have contributed to more severe drought conditions,
affecting both ecosystems and human communities. LINK
These changes underscore the urgent need for comprehensive climate
action to protect Australia's unique ecosystems and biodiversity.
QUESTIONS
What are the latest Australian
government policies to address climate change in 2025?
Has Australia met its emissions
reduction targets?
What state-level initiatives are
leading the way in climate action?
ANSWERS
Government
& Policy Response
Australia has implemented several policies to address climate
change, focusing on emissions reduction and adaptation strategies.
National Policies and Emissions Reduction Targets
Climate Change Act 2022: Enacted in September 2022, this
legislation formalised Australia's commitment to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by 43% from 2005 levels by 2030 and to achieve
net-zero emissions by 2050. LINK
Powering Australia Plan: This comprehensive strategy
aims to create jobs, lower energy bills, and reduce emissions by
boosting renewable energy. It emphasises Australian leadership,
support for industry and agriculture, and advancements in the
electricity and transport sectors. LINK
Mandatory Climate Reporting: In September 2024, the
Australian government passed legislation requiring large and
medium-sized companies to disclose climate-related risks and
opportunities, including greenhouse gas emissions across their
value chains, starting as early as 2025 for the largest entities.
LINK
Progress Toward Emissions Targets
Australia's progress toward its emissions reduction targets presents
a mixed picture:
National Emissions: Current policies are projected to
achieve emission reductions between 17% and 21% below 2005 levels
by 2030, excluding land use, land-use change, and forestry
(LULUCF) sectors. This indicates that, without additional
measures, Australia may fall short of its 43% reduction target. LINK
Climate Change Performance Index: Australia ranks 52nd
among countries, receiving a medium rating in greenhouse gas
emissions, low in renewable energy and climate policy, and very
low in energy use. LINK
State-Level Initiatives
Australian states and territories have implemented ambitious climate
policies:
Net-Zero Targets: As of late 2024, all states and
territories have set targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
or sooner, with many outlining bold interim goals to accelerate
progress. Combined, these targets are estimated to contribute to a
40–44% reduction in Australia’s emissions from 2005 levels by
2030, aligning with national objectives. LINK
Victoria: The state has set world-leading targets to cut
greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045,
with a confirmed 2035 target announced in May 2023. LINK
These developments underscore a concerted effort across federal and
state levels to address climate change, though challenges remain in
meeting national emissions reduction targets.
QUESTIONS
How much of Australia's energy
now comes from renewable sources?
What progress has been made in
phasing out coal and gas?
What innovations in clean energy
(solar, wind, hydrogen) are emerging?
ANSWERS
Renewable
Energy & Emissions
Australia has made notable strides in renewable energy adoption,
though challenges persist in phasing out fossil fuels and advancing
clean energy innovations.
Renewable Energy Contribution
As of early 2025, renewable energy sources account for approximately
39.4% of Australia's total electricity generation. LINK This marks a significant
increase from 35% in 2023, with solar energy leading at 16%, followed
by wind (12%) and hydro (6%). LINK Projections indicate that by
the end of 2025, renewable generation will be more than three times
greater than in 2015, comprising around 48% of overall electricity
generation. LINK
Progress in Phasing Out Coal and Gas
Australia's transition away from coal and gas has been gradual:
Coal: The nation has not committed to a specific coal
phase-out date. However, coal production is expected to decline
sharply from 2027 due to the planned closure of 24 mines. LINKDespite this, Australia
continues to plan for increased fossil fuel production, ranking
among the top ten countries with the largest developed coal and
gas reserves. LINK
Gas: There is currently no comprehensive strategy or
timeline for phasing out gas. Government projections indicate that
liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and export will continue,
reflecting an ongoing reliance on gas within the energy sector. LINK
Innovations in Clean Energy
Australia is witnessing significant advancements in clean energy
technologies:
Solar and Wind: Investment in large-scale wind and solar
projects reached a six-year peak in early 2025, signalling robust
growth in these sectors. LINK
Energy Storage: The energy storage sector has
experienced substantial growth, with large-scale installations
increasing by 573 MW, reaching a total capacity of 2,047 MWh. LINK
Hydrogen: Australia is actively developing its hydrogen
industry, focusing on both domestic applications and export
opportunities. The country aims to become a global leader in green
hydrogen production, leveraging its abundant renewable energy
resources to produce hydrogen through electrolysis.
These developments underscore Australia's commitment to expanding
its renewable energy portfolio and fostering innovation in clean
energy technologies, despite the complexities associated with reducing
dependence on fossil fuels.
QUESTIONS
How are farmers adapting to
changing climate conditions?
What is the current state of
water resources in key regions?
ANSWERS
Impact
on Agriculture & Water Security
Australian farmers are actively adapting to changing climate
conditions through various strategies:
Energy Efficiency and Emission Reduction: Industry
leaders advocate for government support to help farmers invest in
battery energy storage systems. This investment aims to lower
energy costs, reduce reliance on diesel generators, and enhance
resilience against extreme weather events. LINK
Technological Innovations: The integration of advanced
technologies, such as autonomous machinery, is becoming more
prevalent in agriculture. This shift emphasises the growing
importance of software engineering in farming practices LINK
Business Adaptations: Farmers are considering changes in
business practices, including geographical relocation to areas
with more favourable climatic conditions and diversifying or
altering their enterprises to better suit the evolving
environment. LINK
Current State of Water Resources
Australia's water resources are experiencing variability across
different regions:
Rainfall and Streamflows: Between July 2017 and June
2019, much of Australia returned to drought conditions, with
widespread rainfall deficiencies and higher-than-average
temperatures. This period saw below-average streamflows in most
rivers across southeastern Australia, with some recording their
lowest flows on record, particularly in the northern
Murray–Darling Basin. LINK
Groundwater Resources: The Great Artesian Basin
underlies much of northeast Australia, serving as a crucial
groundwater resource. In contrast, Western Australia relies on
local aquifers, which generally have low productivity LINK
Impact of Climate Change on Food Prices and Production
Climate change has influenced both food production and prices in
Australia:
Food Production: The agricultural sector has faced
challenges due to more frequent and severe extreme weather events,
such as floods and fires, impacting the nearly 86,000 farms across
the country. LINK
Food Prices: Extreme weather events have led to
significant financial losses for farmers, such as the mass dumping
of milk due to flooding in New South Wales and Queensland. These
disruptions contribute to increased food prices. LINK
Additionally, global factors, including extreme weather events
affecting coffee-producing regions, have led to rising coffee prices
in Australia, with expectations that a regular cup could reach $7
within months. LINK
These developments underscore the need for adaptive strategies in
agriculture and effective water resource management to mitigate the
impacts of climate change on Australia's food security and economy.
QUESTIONS
How have Australians’ attitudes
toward climate change evolved?
What grassroots movements or
community-led climate initiatives are gaining momentum?
How are businesses and
industries adapting to sustainability goals?
ANSWERS
Public
Awareness & Action
Australians' attitudes toward climate change have evolved over the
years, reflecting increasing concern and a growing commitment to
sustainability.
Evolving Attitudes Toward Climate Change
Rising Concern: A 2023 survey indicated that over 70% of
Australians are concerned about climate change and its potential
to exacerbate existing challenges, such as cost-of-living
pressures. LINK
Perception of Human Influence: A 2024 poll found that
78% of Australians acknowledge climate disruption is occurring,
but only 60% attribute it primarily to human activities. LINK
Generational Perspectives: Among Generation Z university
students, 81% express significant concern about climate change,
with many experiencing climate anxiety. LINK
Grassroots Movements and Community-Led Initiatives
350 Australia: Part of a global movement, 350 Australia
focuses on ending fossil fuels and promoting community-led climate
solutions through education and action. LINK
Citizens' Climate Lobby Australia: This non-partisan
group empowers citizens to engage in grassroots political
lobbying, fostering dialogues with political representatives about
climate action. LINK
Climate Action Network Australia (CANA): CANA comprises
over 100 nonprofit organisations collaborating to advocate for
effective climate solutions, protect communities from climate
impacts, and promote a fairer, healthier Australia. LINK
Business and Industry Adaptations
Agricultural Sector: Industry leaders are advocating for
government support to help farmers invest in battery energy
storage systems. This initiative aims to reduce energy costs,
decrease reliance on diesel generators, and enhance resilience
against extreme weather events. LINK
Technological Integration: The adoption of advanced
technologies, including autonomous machinery, is increasing in
agriculture, highlighting the growing importance of software
engineering in farming practices. LINK
These developments illustrate a nationwide shift toward
acknowledging climate change and implementing sustainable practices
across various sectors.
