THE STATE OF THE CLIMATE 2024 report from Australia's CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology confirms the experiences of millions of Australians: we are now living in an era of climate consequences.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said: "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."
"Unfortunately, the State of the Climate report is not a Halloween trick; it's a grim reminder that we have no time to waste. It is frightening to read."
"We can take heart from the progress we are making 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. To address the state of our climate, it's critical to keep this momentum going.
"This latest science should scare all Australian 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."
Climate Council Fellow, GP and mental health expert Grant Blashki said: "While the physical health impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, the mental health toll is significant as well. 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. On top of that, there's a growing sense of existential stress, especially in young Australians as they grapple with predictions of future climate change and what it means for them.
"At a time when cost-of-living pressures are already straining many Australians, climate change compounds the problem. 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. Another great concern is worsening droughts which can have a huge impact on farmers' livelihoods and mental well-being.
"This serves as a reminder that climate change doesn't just harm our environment. In countries like Australia, it has profound impacts on people's health and it's felt most acutely by those already in vulnerable situations."
