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While scrolling through Instagram on Friday, I came across a post that described how the Australian government had declared koalas endangered. They were previously listed as a vulnerable animal, but they have been declared an endangered species. The classification was being modifiedAfter a recent decline in numbers, the koala is now endangered in New South Wales and Queensland. Scott Morrison, Australia’s prime Minister, has made pledges to protect the koalas. $35.7 Million to restore koala ecosystemsOver the next four-years.
Protecting koala habitats will be a useful measure. Koalas have been evicted from their homes. It will be extremely beneficial to create and restore their normal habits. However, this does nothing to address the root cause of the koalas’ declining population: climate change.
The Climate change and its effectsWildfires, disease, and other factors can affect koala populations across Australia. elevated carbon dioxide levels that have impacted eucalyptus—their main food source. In addition, deforestation, caused by urbanization, which contributes to climate change, also significantly affects koalas’ habitats. Until the Australian government addresses climate disruption as a whole, as well as its subsequent consequences, koalas and other species will continue to face the consequences.
California wildfires are something that most Americans are familiar with. Studies have shown that more people are affected than just the wildfires in California. Half the acres that burn each summer are left unoccupiedClimate change can be attributed in large part to California’s wildfires. Similar to California, wildfires can be attributed to climate change in Australia. According to researchers, climate change has been confirmed by scientistsAustralia is 30% more likely to have wildfires. Due to climate change, summers in Australia have been getting longer and prolonged heat waves — the primary cause of wildfires — have been more frequent.
Between 2019 and 2020 A studyIt was found that around 60,000 koalas died in wildfires, while a large portion of their habitats was also destroyed. Regardless of these effects — not just on koalas but on the entire population of humans and animals in Australia — the nation is doing very little to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Australia was shown to have the COP26 conference. Highest greenhouse gas emissionsPer capita, coal is the most expensive in the world. This is alarming. However, despite the dangers it poses for wildlife and the population, the The government is not doing enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Morrison is important because the Australian economy is heavily dependent on coal. Largely unwillingTo mitigate the effects of climate changes, this industry must be modified. As of November 2018The United Nations concluded that Australia had not improved its climate policies and would likely fail to meet the Paris Climate Agreement’s goals regarding greenhouse gas emissions.
Due to their diets, the greenhouse gas emissions are especially harmful to koalas. As carbon dioxide levels rise, protein levels in plants decrease significantly making koalas’ diets less nutritious. This makes them more susceptible to experiencing a variety of health problems. Malnutrition or starvation.
It is not treating the cause of climate change by spending a lot of money to create habitats for koalas. If the Australian government doesn’t work to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and these habitats aren’t built, the cycle of climate change will continue. Wildfires, changes in the environment and other factors that affect their diets or nutrition will again cause Koalas to lose homes and their lives.
The koala population is also affected by disease. Many people have heard the myth that most koalas are chlamydia-infected. If a koala is infected by chlamydia they will die. Cysts develop in adultsInfertility can result from these conditions. Climate change has further exacerbated this problem as research has found that in stressful environments — including when there are bushfires, drought and heat waves — koalas are More susceptible to the disease. The climate change has led to a constant stress state in koalas, which negatively affects their immune system.
This issue must be taken seriously by the Australian government. The koala population is being reduced by climate change to the point that they are endangered in three states.
No matter how many habitats are built, climate change will continue to affect the koala population in Australia. Rather than simply building these habitats and washing their hands of this problem, the Australian government must make changes to their coal industry — eventually leading to them divesting from such fossil fuels altogether — in order to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Although it does not have to take place overnight, it is essential that the end goal be to get rid of these fossil fuels in order to protect the population.
The koala population has been severely affected at this point. But, other animals, wildlife, and humans, both in Australia and around world, have also been negatively impacted. All governments, including the Australian government, must acknowledge the devastating effects of climate change. It is vital for wildlife and our own survival.
