Australia is facing a stark environmental wake-up call. A new report from the Australian National University in collaboration with the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network warns that without increased investment in environmental monitoring, the nation's ecosystems are at serious risk.
Over the past 25 years, Australia's average land temperatures have risen by 0.81°C, while the number of threatened species has surged by more than 50%. These trends are alarming, as the country also sees a 22% rise in extreme heat days and repeated occurrences of mass coral bleaching.
Professor Albert Van Dijk explained, "Our own on-ground monitoring infrastructure is aging and underfunded, and weather stations and stream gauges are being decommissioned or left unrepaired." Australia currently relies on satellite data from U.S. agencies like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. However, proposed U.S. funding cuts could disrupt this critical flow of information, leaving vast areas as data deserts.
For young change-makers, professionals, and explorers alike, this report is a wake-up call to the importance of modernizing environmental monitoring systems. Robust, sovereign systems would not only help protect Australia's diverse ecosystems but also inspire innovative solutions for global climate challenges. 🌏🔥
Reference(s):
Australia faces bleak environmental future without more investment
cgtn.com
