The State of the Climate 2024 report released today has found ongoing changes to Australia’s climate and weather as the country warms.
The report is prepared every two years by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
The report shows an increase in extreme heat events, longer fire seasons, more intense heavy rainfall and sea level rise.
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BOM Climate Services Manager Karl Braganza said lower rainfall is heightening the risk of drought.
Braganza said, “Droughts this century have been significantly hotter than those in the past.” However, “when heavy rainfall events occur, they are becoming more intense.”
The report shows drier conditions between April to October across the southwest and southeast, and reduced rainfall in southwest Australia.
Sea levels have risen by around 22 centimetres since 1900, damaging coastal infrastructure. Increased temperatures have contributed to mass coral bleaching and impacts on marine ecosystems and species around Australia.
CSIRO research scientist Michael Gross said tropical cyclones are holding more rain and arriving on a higher sea level, having more impact on the coast.
Gross said, “The evidence suggests that there’s actually going to be fewer in total, but a greater number of them in the extreme and high intensity categories.”
“It really paints a picture of ongoing change that won’t plateau until the world reaches net zero greenhouse gas emissions. That will be when we will see a plateauing or levelling off.”
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