Climate change risks to Australia: IPCC

The latest IPCC report on climate change impacts and projections for Australia.

OBSERVED CHANGES AND IMPACTS FOR AUSTRALIA:

* More hot days and heatwaves, less snow

* More rainfall in the north, less April-October rainfall in the southwest and southeast.

* More extreme fire weather days in the south and east.

* Extreme events included Australia’s hottest and driest year in 2019 with a record-breaking number of days over 39C.

* Three major floods in eastern Australia during 2019-2021.

* Major fires in southern and eastern Australia during 2019-2020.

* Extreme heat has led to excess deaths and increased rates of many illnesses.

* Nuisance and extreme coastal flooding have increased due to sea-level rise superimposed upon high tides and storm surges in low-lying locations.

* The Bramble Cay melomys, an endemic mammal species, became extinct due to loss of habitat associated with sea-level rise and storm surges in the Torres Strait.

* Extensive coral bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef and loss of temperate kelp forests due to ocean warming and marine heatwaves.

PROJECTED IMPACTS AND KEY RISKS:

* Further climate change is inevitable.

* The rate and magnitude will be largely dependent on the emission pathway.

* More hot days and fewer cold days.

* Further sea-level rise, ocean warming and ocean acidification.

* Less winter and spring rainfall is projected in southern Australia.

* Uncertain rainfall changes in northern Australia.

* More droughts and extreme fire weather projected in southern and eastern Australia.

* Increased rainfall intensity is projected, with fewer tropical cyclones and a greater proportion of severe cyclones.

* Ongoing impacts on species and ecosystems

SOURCE: IPCC Working Group II report, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability

Climate change risks to Australia: IPCC
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