Australia’s environment is seeing some short-term improvements, thanks to a good amount of rainfall last year. The latest report, “Australia’s Environment 2024” (AER), gives a score of 7.7 out of 10—reflecting four solid years of recovery.
However, experts caution that this recovery might not last. Professors at the Australian National University, including lead author Albert Van Dijk, warn that the improvements are mostly due to La Niña weather patterns. “Climate change hasn’t gone away. The bad times will come back,” he expressed in an interview with Cosmos.
The report highlights ongoing challenges. Rising temperatures continue to threaten wildlife. In fact, the latest findings show that 41 new species have been added to Australia’s list of threatened species, marking a significant increase. “Since the year 2000, we’ve seen a drastic decline of about 58% in the numbers of threatened birds, mammals, and plants,” added researcher Tayla Lawrie.
While some states, like New South Wales, saw improvements, others like South Australia faced significant challenges. South Australia recorded its driest year in over two decades, earning a low environmental score of 3.8 out of 10. On a positive note, inland Northern Territory recorded its wettest year in more than 20 years, leading with a score of 8.6. Across Australia, rainfall was about 18% above average, contributing to the temporary recovery of ecosystems.
The average annual temperature was the second highest on record, trailing only the year of the devastating 2019 bushfires. Despite the recent rainfall, fire activity still remains lower than in previous years, showing a complex relationship between weather patterns and environmental health.
Yet, climate challenges persist. Habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change continue to threaten ecosystems across the continent.
The AER’s insights are primarily used by local governments and natural resource management groups. This sort of reporting is rare in Australia, as the country lacks a national environmental oversight body. “Other countries have an Environmental Protection Agency to prepare these reports; we rely on institutions like the ANU to do this work,” Van Dijk noted.
The pressing question is: What happens next? Will these findings drive action? A consistent commitment to long-term environmental management is critical as the climate crisis escalates.
In summary, while last year’s rainfall brought temporary relief, ongoing threats demand substantial and sustained action. Australia may find itself at a crossroads, and how the insights from the AER are applied will be crucial for the future of its environment.
For more details, you can read the full report from the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN).
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