Coastal councils have spoken, and they want an end to shark nets. SYDNEY (26 February 2025)—Randwick Council, has, Tuesday night, voted no to the continued use of shark nets, meaning none of the eight councils with shark nets have supported their continued use. The NSW Government has consulted with...
Australia is no stranger to extreme weather, but this summer has been particularly brutal – and the estimated fire season hasn’t even started.
Devastating floods in Far North Queensland and raging bushfires in Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia have left already struggling communities reeling, and fragile ecosystems in further distress.
These disasters are not isolated incidents—they are the direct consequence of a changing climate, and their impact on wildlife and the environment cannot be overstated.
The Cost of Inaction
Climate change is driving more frequent and severe natural disasters, and our unique wildlife is paying the price. As rising global temperatures increase the likelihood of extreme weather events, the balance of entire ecosystems is being upended.
Floods in Far North Queensland
The recent floods in Far North Queensland submerged vast areas and displaced communities and wildlife alike. Native species such as wallabies, bandicoots, flying foxes and ground-nesting birds struggle to find refuge as their habitats are inundated.
Aquatic ecosystems are also at risk, with floodwater washing pollutants and debris into rivers, endangering freshwater species. Crocodiles, often seen as resilient, face challenges as floodwaters alter breeding grounds and force them into unfamiliar and sometimes urban areas, increasing human-wildlife conflict.
Fires in Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia
At the same time, bushfires are tearing through fragile habitats across Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. In Tasmania, ancient forests—home to endangered species like the swift parrot and Tasmanian devil—are being lost at an alarming rate. Victoria’s high country is ablaze, threatening koala populations already struggling with habitat fragmentation.
Meanwhile, Western Australia’s fires are devastating critical refuges for numbats and black cockatoos, species already battling declining numbers.
The Ripple Effect on Ecosystems
It’s not just individual animals that suffer—these disasters disrupt entire ecosystems. Forests and grasslands scorched by fire take decades to recover, if they ever do. Pollinators such as bees and butterflies are decimated, impacting plant regeneration and food sources for other wildlife. Floods erode soils and drown plant life, altering food chains and leading to long-term ecological damage. Rainforest canopies in far north Queensland are currently being overrun with invasive vines, competing for the same resources as our native species.
The loss of biodiversity also has consequences for humans. Healthy ecosystems provide essential services like clean air, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. When these systems collapse, we all feel the effects—through worsening climate conditions, increased natural disasters, and the loss of invaluable wildlife.
We Must Act Now
The science is clear: climate change is intensifying these disasters. Without urgent action, extreme weather events will only become more destructive, putting more pressure on our environment, wildlife, and communities.
Late last year, the Australian government failed to deliver its Nature Positive Plan, composed of legislative amendments and laws that promised to move Australia in the right direction. Governments must commit to stronger climate policies, including reducing fossil fuel emissions, protecting and restoring habitats and threatened wildlife, and investing in disaster resilience.
What You Can Do
- Support conservation efforts: Donate to organisations working to protect and rehabilitate wildlife impacted by natural disasters
- Be prepared: Know your fire, flood or heat risk, and make a plan. Every dollar spent in preparation for a disaster is ten dollars saved in the response phase
- Advocate for change: Write to policymakers and demand stronger climate action to protect Australia’s future. Read our other blogs and learn how you can reduce your impact on the natural environment, and how you can be a part of impactful, sustainable change here.
