Figure 1. This image was created by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for the AR5 report to show the widespread impacts of climate change based on available scientific literature since the AR4 report. Each symbol represents an impact of climate change in that region. Global warming has a very high impact on the terrestrial and aquatic systems of Australasia which includes Australia. 

Environment at Risk: Australia

An ecological discussion of a growing country  

Australia is a country of extremes: temperatures upwards of 120°F, animals smaller than a tack and more deadly than a grizzly bear, and environments so diverse they can sustain life that is found nowhere else on Earth. Most tourists to Australia anticipate at least a little danger and excitement from the continent where "everything is trying to kill you." However, Australia's extreme aspects are also what make it incredibly unique and an important piece of Earth's ecological history. 

Australia's ecology is particularly interesting when compared with New Zealand. While Australians and Kiwis often hate being confused for one another, their countries do have some commonalities. As evidenced from the fossil record, both countries were once part of the supercontinent Gondwana that broke apart 100 million years ago into New Zealand, Australia, Africa, South America, and Antarctica. When the supercontinent broke apart, New Zealand and Australia became isolated which lead to a proliferation of endemic species. For a more complete overview of the New Zealand environment and ecological history, please read the feature entitled Environment at Risk: New Zealand. 

Figure 2. This image was taken at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney and shows the short beaked echidna.  one of the only extant species of Monotremata. 

In New Zealand this isolation, enabled birds to fill the ecological niches of mammals. At the time of the Polynesian settlement in New Zealand, the only mammals on the islands were three species of bat. However, a very different evolutionary trend occurred in Australia. In contrast to New Zealand, Australia became the land of the mammal.

Australia and New Guinea are the only countries in the world with all three extant orders of mammals: Monotremata (including the echidna [Figure 2] and the platypus), Marsupialia (including marsupials such as kangaroos), and Eutheria (including all placental mammals such as humans). These mammalian orders differ primarily based on reproductive strategy. For a more in depth look at the reproductive strategy of marsupials and emerging research, please read A Marsupial's Story. 

The diversity of mammals in Australia is invaluable to evolutionary biology and to understanding the origins of humanity. In addition, Australia is home to host of non-mammalian endemic species most famously including emus, freshwater crocodiles, and most of the world's deadly snakes. 

Unfortunately, Australia also faces many of the same environmental issues as New Zealand. According the State of the Environment 2016 report released by the Australian government, climate change, land-use change, habitat fragmentation and degradation, and invasive species are the most serious pressures on the Australian environment. Presently, Australia does not have a longterm plan to prevent the worsening of these environmental issues. All of the following information is from the Themes section of the State of the Environment 2016 report. 

Air - The primary source of air pollution in Australia is from the energy sector accounting for 76 percent of the total air pollution. The Australian government has pledged to reduce emissions by 26-28 percent by 2030. 

Atmosphere and Climate - Australia's per person emissions of carbon dioxide is close to twice the average of countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. In Australia, global warming is expected to cause an increase in heatwaves, fires, droughts, floods, sea level and the loss of ecosystems. 

Fresh Water - Australia's fresh water resources are very vulnerable to climate change. As the population in Australia continues to grow, so does the pressure on resources. In particular, severe drought due to global warming could be devastating for Australia people and ecosystems. Additionally, due to historical use, Australia's groundwater is mostly rated as "poor." Freshwater lakes are also vulnerable to invasive species such as cane toads and aquatic weeds. 

Land - Land use in Australia is complicated by the often conflicting desires of the Australian Government and the indigenous Aboriginal people. Currently, the amount of land managed by Indigenous Australians is on the rise, but still represents a minority of the total available land. High soil quality is necessary for the large agriculture industry but is frequently negatively impacted by fire, clearing, grazing, and harvesting. As previously mentioned, invasive pests are the most critical problem facing Australian land use. Additionally, rapid population growth in southeastern Australia continues to pressure surrounding resources. 

Marine - 85 percent of Australians live within 100 kilometers of the ocean. By 2025, marine-based industries are expected to contribute around $100 billion (AUD) each year to Australia’s overall economy. It is also estimated that the positive externalities of the ocean such as carbon dioxide absorption and nutrient cycling contribute $25 billion (AUD) in value to the Australian and international economy. Despite this heavy dependence upon the water, Australia's marine resources are severely threatened and under regulated.  As discussed further in the Scuba Diving case study, the most serious problems faced by the Australia marine ecosystems are caused by global warming, which result in changes in sea level, acidity, and temperatures. The Great Barrier Reef, UNESCO's first natural world heritage site, decreases in size and biodiversity every year. 

The outlook for Australia and government conservation efforts is best summarized by the State of the Environment 2016 report: 

The outlook for Australian biodiversity is generally poor, given the current overall poor status, deteriorating trends and increasing pressures. Our current investments in biodiversity management are not keeping pace with the scale and magnitude of current pressures. Resources for managing biodiversity and for limiting the impact of key pressures mostly appear inadequate to arrest the declining status of many species. Biodiversity and broader conservation management will require major reinvestments across long timeframes to reverse deteriorating trends.

Change is acutely necessary in Australia. Steps must be taken to protect the invaluable ecological history of this country. Please continue reading the following case studies on the Features page to find out if ecotourism can be the solutions to the environmental issues facing New Zealand and Australia.