Climate Change
The world is heating up at a rapid rate
Average temperatures on Earth have warmed by about 0.76 of a degree Celsius over the last 100 years, with most of this warming occurring in the past 20 years.
This temperature rise appears small but small increases in temperature translate into big changes for the world's climate.
The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) attributes most of this temperature rise to human activities that release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Stay under a global average temperature increase of 2 degrees
More hotter days, more severe storms, droughts and fire, and higher sea levels are expected under climate change. This could threaten lives, industries and jobs, sustainable agricultural production, fresh water supplies and the survival of native species and ecosystems.
Scientists and some governments agree that an average global warming of 2 degrees or more above the pre-industrial level would result in dangerous and irreversible climate change with dramatic social, economic and environmental impacts.
Australians are big polluters
Australians are the highest per-capita greenhouse gas polluters in the developed world. This is due to the fact that we generate electricity largely by burning high-emission coal and we use energy inefficiently.
Australia's total emissions are similar in magnitude to those of the United Kingdom and France, yet those countries have much larger populations.
How will we stay under 2 degrees?
WWF-Australia believes that in order to stay below a 2 degree increase the next Australian Government must implement a national plan to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. This plan must:
- Set targets to stabilise emissions by 2010, and then reduce emissions by 20-30% by 2020;
- Implement world’s best practice energy efficiency and vehicle emission standards;
- Implement a national emissions trading scheme that is operational by 2010;
- Ensure no new coal-fired power stations are built unless they have carbon capture and storage;
- Implement a renewable energy target of 25% of electricity generated by 2030; and
- Ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
Ice Breaker: Pushing the boundaries for Whales
Mean global temperature could reach 2°C above pre- industrial levels by 2042, leading to significant impacts on Southern Ocean whales. According to state-of-the-art climate models, under 2°C global warming, the area of the Southern Ocean covered by sea ice is projected to shrink by an average of 10-15%. This reduction could be up to 30% in some regions, meaning that species that are heavily dependent on sea ice, such as the Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) are projected to lose between 5-30% of ice-associated habitat within 40 years - little more than the life time of an individual whale.
Continue reading 'Ice Breaker: Pushing the boundaries for Whales'
Australians still among worst polluters on planet
Australia's climate change credentials rank poorly against other developed countries with Australians still among the highest greenhouse gas polluters per capita on the planet, according to a report released by independent consultancy Ecofys, commissioned by leading environmental organisation WWF and international financial services leader, Allianz
WWF-Australia backgrounder: Emission Trading Scheme Green Paper
Key elements of an effective emissions trading scheme
WWF welcomes carbon reduction scheme but warns against free permits
WWF today said the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme was a big step forward in tackling dangerous climate change but warned against free carbon permits for existing coal power stations.
More: Feature articles | Latest media releases | RSS feeds
