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THE CSIRO-Bureau of Meteorology State of the Climate Report for 2024 has renewed calls for more urgent action by politicians and industry.
The report is predicting more extreme heat events, longer fire seasons, more intense heavy rainfall, and sea level rises.
Researchers and environmental organisations are renewing their calls for action.
The Climate Council says the public is wearing the consequences of inaction.
Council CEO Amanda McKenzie says: “Climate pollution is hitting Australian families hard and the consequences are playing out in real time, making our fire seasons longer, and the rain to arrive in sudden, heavy downpours.”
She describes the report as a “grim reminder” with no time to waste.
McKenzie says the public can take heart from the progress we made in clean energy and transport.
“Already, roughly 40% of our main energy grid is powered by clean energy and Australians are world leaders at embracing rooftop solar,” she says.
“To address the state of our climate, it’s critical to keep this momentum going.”
She says the report should scare all governments into faster cuts to climate pollution.
“CSIRO and the weather bureau are warning us that every new coal and gas approval condemns Australians to longer and more severe bushfires, to more extreme droughts and rainfall events, as well as higher insurance bills.”
Council Fellow, doctor and mental health expert Grant Blashki says the effects of climate change are two-fold.
“While the physical health impact of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, the mental health toll is significant as well,” he says.
“We’re seeing direct effects from more frequent and intense heatwaves, which research shows can worsen mental health issues and even contribute to an increase in suicidal behaviours.”
He points to a growing sense of existential stress, especially in young Australians as they grapple with predictions of future climate change.
“At a time when cost-of-living pressures are already straining many Australians, climate change compounds the problem,” Blashki says.
“The flow-on effects of more extreme weather events are driving up costs, particularly insurance premiums, for those in fire or flood prone areas, adding yet another layer of stress for vulnerable communities,” he says.
“Another great concern is worsening droughts which can have a huge impact on farmers’ livelihoods and mental well-being.”
