Australian Ecosystems Under Severe Threats, Report Reveals
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Synopsis
Australia's ecosystems face severe threats from record-breaking heat, mass coral bleaching, and biodiversity loss, as highlighted in the latest Australia’s Environment Report. The report reveals both alarming and slightly improving trends in the environment, underscoring the urgent need for conservation and climate action.
Key Takeaways
- Record-breaking heat and coral bleaching threaten ecosystems.
- 58% decline in threatened species populations since 2000.
- Environmental score improved to 7.7 out of 10 in 2024.
- 41 new species added to the threatened list in 2024.
- Investment in renewable energy is essential for future stability.
Canberra, March 20 (NationPress) Record-setting heat, widespread coral bleaching, and significant biodiversity decline continue to jeopardize Australia's ecosystems, according to the latest Australia’s Environment Report released on Thursday.
The report, compiled annually by the Australian National University (ANU) and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) after evaluating extensive satellite, station, and field data, indicated a modest improvement in Australia’s environment in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of above-average conditions.
Nonetheless, Australia faced its second-hottest year on record following 2019, with sea surface temperatures hitting unprecedented levels, resulting in the fifth mass bleaching event in the Great Barrier Reef within a decade and severe bleaching at Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef, the report highlighted.
Habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change continue to threaten native ecosystems. Although 41 species were added to the threatened species list in 2024—down from a record 130 in 2023—it remains significantly above the long-term average of 25 per year.
The Threatened Species Index reveals an average 58 percent decline in threatened species populations since 2000. However, report co-author Tayla Lawrie from TERN noted a slight recent improvement, indicating possible stabilization for certain species, according to Xinhua news agency.
In 2024, Australia’s environmental score reached 7.7 out of 10, a notable recovery from the disastrous years of 2019 and 2020, when scores plummeted to between 0.4 and 2 following the Black Summer bushfires that devastated the country’s biodiversity.
Despite favorable rainfall enhancing vegetation and soil health, ANU Prof. Albert Van Dijk, lead author of the report, cautions that the environmental improvements of the past four years do not alleviate long-term concerns.
As Australia’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions remain among the highest globally, Professor Van Dijk advocates for investments in renewable energy, more robust land management policies, and improved biodiversity conservation initiatives.
