New data released by the Bureau of Meteorology has the fingerprints of climate change all over it, the Climate Council said today.
The State of the Climate report reveals Australia’s mean surface air temperature and surrounding sea surface temperature have both warmed by around 1°C since 1910.
The report finds extreme heat events have become longer, hotter and more frequent since the 1970s.
Large parts of Australia have also recorded increases in extreme fire danger weather and longer fire seasons.
The report also found:
- Australia has almost 12 more days over 35°C than it did fifty 50 years ago.
- Australian temperatures are projected to continue to increase with more extremely hot days and fewer extremely cool days
- Sea level rise and ocean acidification around Australia is expected to continue.
Climate Councillor Professor Lesley Hughes said climate change was driving many of the trends noted in the State of the Climate report.
“Australia’s emissions reduction target of 26-28% on 2005 levels by 2030 is not sufficient to protect Australians from worsening heatwaves, bushfires and other extreme weather events,” she said.
“Australia must reduce its emissions rapidly and deeply to join global efforts to stabilise the world’s climate and to reduce the risk of exposure to extreme events.”
For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Jessica Craven on 0400 424 559 or jess@climatecouncil.org.au