Predicted Effects
Life on earth is dependent upon one essential element
- a healthy atmosphere.
Climate Change through Global Warming presents the most significant threat to present and future generations, and the natural systems whose services support the quality of life.
In Perth's southeast, and southwestern Australia, widespread extinctions are forecast for many species by 2030. These include a number of species of wattle, dryandra, frogs, and marsupials such as the Black Footed Wallaby. The Chuditch (our largest marsupial hunter) and the Numbat are also predicted to disappear from the Darling Range in the Perth region.
On a global scale, if people around the world do not switch their thinking and change their energy and resource use behaviour to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat Global Warming, scientists have predicted:
Temperature increases - An increase in average temperatures of around 20 C by 2030, and 50 C by 2100, with a dramatic increase in the frequency of frosts and very hot days, especially in inland areas.
Change in rainfall patterns - Predictions vary from a slight increase in rainfall to a drop of 20% by 2030, and 60% by 2070. What has actually happened since 1975 to date has been a consistent drop in average rainfall in the south-west of WA of 20%. This will drastically change primary production patterns and affect all native vegetation.
Extinction of Flora and Fauna - There are predictions for widespread extinctions of many species by 2030, including wattles, dryandra, frogs, and marsupials such as the Black Footed Wallaby. Predictions are that the Chuditch, our largest marsupial hunter, and the Numbat, will disappear from the Darling Range.
Disease Implications - The Health Department has advised that subtropical diseases, including some encephalitis and meningitis viruses and their mosquito and bird carriers, are moving further south!
Changes to Horticulture - Radical changes to primary industry will follow rainfall decline. Decreasing rainfall and increasing frost frequency will have a serious impact. Much of our current broad acre agricultural area will become less productive, and may eventually be useless for that purpose.
Cyclones, Storms and Fires - Cyclones are predicted to form further south and to travel further south than they currently do. Complicated changes in weather patterns, such as more severe droughts and floods, and higher rainfall intensity.
