Scientists warn that while Australia’s environment is undergoing a recovery after recent record heat waves, droughts, and devastating bushfires, biodiversity has been negatively affected.
According to the 2021 Australia Environment Report, lower temperatures and high rainfall caused by La Nina have helped the environment recover strongly.
All states and territories experienced improvements in conditions, with the strongest recovery occurring in Western Australia (and Tasmania).
Overall, Australia’s environmental score was 6.9 out 10 – more than twice that of 2020, when it was given a score of three out of ten following the Black Summer bushfires.
Albert van Dijk, a hydrologist, stated that “above average rainfall and lower temperatures than seen in eight years have contributed.”
Low fire activity, reduced drought conditions, and good rains have all contributed to better growing conditions.
Despite the recovery, the nation’s biodiversity – or variety – continued to decline.
According to the Australian government 12 Australian species were declared endangered in 2021, and 34 more were added as threatened species.
Shoshanarapley, an ecologist, said that “the two most recent extinctions were a little bat (last seen on Christmas Island in 2009) and a tiny skink (last seen on Christmas Island 2010).”
“It is a wakeup call that threatened species conservation should be taken more seriously.”
According to the report, Australia’s emissions of carbon dioxide decreased by almost two percent, primarily because COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.
Prof van Dijk stated, “Australia contributed 1.4% to global emission in 2021, as opposed to 1.5% in 2020.”
Due to high individual energy consumption, continued use of polluting coke, and large non-carbon dioxide emissions, the nation’s per capita emissions are still among the highest in the world.
Researchers also discovered that 2021 was the sixth-warmest year ever recorded, with some regions of inland Australia reporting record-breaking July temperatures.
Prof van Dijk stated, “But the number days exceeding 35C was lowest since 2011, so it wasn’t generally more hot last Year.”
2021 saw the discovery of 16 new species, including a spider and a frog.
Ms Rapley stated that this does not mean that biodiversity is improving, as species are already present.
Prof van Dijk warned climate change impacts such as droughts, heat waves, and bushfires will continue to degrade the environment for decades to come.
He stated that “Decisive actions to actively reduce global carbon emissions, and improve ecosystem management, can prevent these impacts from getting worse than they need to be.”
“Both of these are possible, but only if we take the necessary steps.”
The Australian National University researchers prepared the annual report.
Australian Associated Press
