Publications related to climate change
The publications below relate to the issue of climate change.
Industrial Constraints and Dislocations to Significant Emissions Reductions by 2050
Details how Australia is facing critical climate change skills shortages to deliver sufficient reduction cuts, and also pushes the need for complimentary ETS measures such as a Renewable Energy Target (RET).
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.
Assessment of the Direct and Indirect Risks from Human Induced Climate Change to Key Ecosystems in Northern Australia
The focus in this report on Northern Australia is appropriate in an era where climate change is now accepted as a reality, but is leading some to advocate greater exploitation of the Australian tropical environment. This attention on Northern Australia is both an opportunity and a threat. Any move to further “develop” the north must be balanced by careful consideration of the natural balance of nature and how this may be disturbed by human actions.
Australian Species and Climate Change
Australia already has the worst rate of mammal extinction in the world. Almost 40 per cent of mammal extinctions globally in the last 200 years have occurred in Australia. This incredible continent is losing species at an unprecedented rate and, as most species found here aren't found anywhere else, the loss of Australian species is a loss for the whole world. The habitat destruction and alteration, invasive species and altered fire regimes, that have occurred as a result of our use of the land, are the major factors in driving Australia's shocking extinction record.
Climate Change - Solutions for Australia 2008
The Australian Climate Group, comprised of eminent Australian climate scientists, was first convened by WWF-Australia and the Insurance Australia Group in 2003. It re-formed in 2007 to call on Government for urgent action to reduce the risk of dangerous climate change. The Group recommends that Australia stabilise national emissions by 2010. One of the Report's main findings is that there is increasing evidence that catastrophic climate change could occur and could take place in our lifetime.
Climate Solutions WWF's vision for 2050
Climate Solutions is the report of WWF's Energy Taskforce which was set up in December 2005. More than 100 scientists and experts contributed their knowledge.
Dangerous Aspirations: Beyond 3 degrees Warming in Australia
WWF's Dangerous Aspirations: Beyond 3 Degrees Warming report outlines the environmental consequences for Australia should the Australian government continue to support international greenhouse gas agreements that will ultimately result in a global temperature rise of average 3 degrees or more in the future.
Assessing the impacts of climate change on Northern Australia (Synopsis)
A new report commissioned by WWF has found that Northern Australia's iconic landscapes, such as its tropical rivers and coastal wetlands, are at risk from climate change. The report highlights the need to build climate resilience across Northern Australia by reducing threats such as major wildfires and land clearing. The report also highlights the damage to some ecosystems that may occur as governments and industries rush to find more water, land and energy resources in the north as a response to climate change impacts in the south.
Read the full report.
Protected Areas: buffering nature against climate change
Proceedings of a symposium with Australia's top scientists and parks experts exploring how best to protect Australia's natural areas and stop a potential wave of extinctions of native wildlife across the country due to climate change. Includes fifteen review papers and a foreword by eminent conservation biologist Tom Lovejoy.
Priorities for a living Australia
Priorities for a Living Australia sets out WWF's key Federal policy proposals for the next Australian Government to tackle dangerous climate change and build environmental resilience.
The heat is on
This landmark report into energy and climate change from Australia's leading energy and transport stakeholders released on 6 December 2006 removes the last barrier to a carbon price signal in Australia.
The report features modelling by CSIRO and ABARE that reveals Australia can make deep cuts to its greenhouse gas emissions in concert with the international community with little impact on the economy.
Contrary to popular belief, the report shows that overall household energy will be more affordable in 2050 than it is today.
Bird species and climate change: The global status report
This summary outlines the findings of "Birds Species and Climate Change" which provides a global analysis of current and future impacts of climate change on birds. The report reviews more than 200 research reports to assemble a clear and consistent picture of climatic risk to this important animal group, illustrated with numerous examples and case studies.
Green Electricity Watch 2006 - Summary
Green Electricity Watch 2006 is an independent ranking of Green Power electricity products offered by Australian electricity retailers, providing consumers with a simple guide to all the Green Power products available and which ones make a real difference in reducing global warming.
Australia's Inconvenient Truth
This fact sheet shows the potential impacts of global warming on Australia, as well as demonstrating how early action can drastically reduce our emissions with minimal impact on the economy.
Interview with David Suzuki (06 Sep 2006)
In this video podcast Dr David Suzuki, award-winning scientist and environmentalist, talks to WWF-Australia about why humans are the real reason our planet is degrading at such a fast rate and how we can turn this around.
A prosperous low carbon future
This action plan sets out policies and measures to affordably reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions 30% below 1990 levels by 2030.
A prosperous low carbon future - References, assumptions and explanatory notes
The A prosperous low carbon future action plan sets out policies and measures to affordably reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions 30% below 1990 levels by 2030. This document provides the references, assumptions and explanatory notes that support the report.
Time to Act
Time to act, a factsheet created for National Threatened Species Day 2006, is a handy educational resource for teachers and students - calling all of us to make a few changes in our daily lives for the benefit of the environment. Many of these changes can also save us money.
Help prevent climate change
This factsheet, created for National Threatened Species Day 2006, provides an overview of the causes of climate change and tips on what you can do to help.
Building resilience for our species and ecosystems factsheet
The Australian climate is changing and our natural environment is under threat. Those regions particularly vulnerable include the Australian Alps, the Southwest Australia Ecoregion, upland tropical rainforests, coral reefs, arid and semiarid habitats, freshwater wetlands and riverine environments.
This factsheet provides a brief overview of what we can do to protect species and ecosystems from damage caused by the threat of climate change.
Rich countries, poor water
Contrary to popular belief, it's not just poor countries that suffer from water related crises. This report shows how rich countries are increasingly the victims of shortages, pollution and climate-related water issues.
Interview with Tim Flannery (05 July 2006)
Internationally acclaimed scientist, explorer and conservationist - Professor Tim Flannery - has spent the past 12 months addressing world leaders on the impacts of climate change. His award-winning book, The Weather Makers, continues to be a best seller around the world.
In this video podcast, Professor Flannery talks to WWF about the reality of climate change for all Australians and why we're running out of time.
Options for moving towards a lower emission future
AGL, Frontier Economics and WWF-Australia have completed a pragmatic economic evaluation of how to achieve emission reductions in the Australian electricity sector. This study shows that Australians could pay as little as $250 each to achieve a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the country's electricity generation industry by 2030.
An affordable solution to climate change
AGL, Frontier Economics and WWF-Australia have completed a pragmatic economic evaluation of how to achieve emission reductions in the Australian electricity sector. This is an executive summary of the study, which shows that Australians could pay as little as $250 each, or just $0.43/week per person if it was paid over 24 years, to achieve a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the country's electricity generation industry by 2030.
WA Clean Energy Future Report
Western Australia has an abundance of clean energy supplies that it can draw on to meet its growing energy demands. Towards Western Australia's Clean Energy Future shows how WA can meet its electricity needs through a combination of wind, biomass, natural gas and greater energy efficiency.
WA Clean Energy Future Report (Summary)
Western Australia has an abundance of clean energy supplies that it can draw on to meet its growing energy demands. This publication is a summary of the Towards Western Australia's Clean Energy Future future report, which shows how WA can meet its electricity needs through a combination of wind, biomass, natural gas and greater energy efficiency.
Queensland Clean Energy Future Report
The Clean Energy Future Group's new report reveals options to provide safe and affordable energy in Queensland which goes hand in hand with environmental protection. The report provides an achievable plan to meet the immediate needs of the Queensland residents and industry.
NSW Clean Energy Future Report
The Clean Energy Future Group's new report reveals options to provide safe and affordable energy in New South Wales which goes hand in hand with environmental protection. The report provides an achievable plan to meet the immediate needs of the NSW residents and industry.
Nine steps to make Kyoto a success
The entering into force of the Kyoto Protocol is the first step to combat climate change internationally. The world must now take another nine steps to make the Protocol the success that the world needs to avoid dangerous levels of climate change.
PowerSwitch! Generator ScoreCard 2004
WWF-Australia's second audit of major power companies has found the companies that make our electricity are failing to act responsibly in the face of the greatest threat confronting the world in the 21st century.
Towards Victoria's Clean Energy Future
A plan to cut Victoria's greenhouse gas emissions from electricity by 2010.
PowerSwitch! debate: Can the power sector save us from Climate Change?
Transcript of the PowerSwitch! debate held at the Powerhouse museum in Sydney on the 6th of September, 2004.
Climate Change: Solutions for Australia
This first report from the Australian Climate Group recommends a 60 per cent cut in emissions by 2050 and represents an unprecedented alliance between scientific and commercial experts with an aim to guide public opinion and government policy.
A Clean Energy Future for Australia
Comprehensive new research commissioned by the Clean Energy Future Group finds that Australia's greenhouse pollution can halve by 2040 through energy efficiency and switching to currently available clean energy technologies.
A Clean Energy Future for Australia (summary)
Summary of bold new research that oulines how we can switch from coal to clean renewable energy by 2040 and halve Australia's current greenhouse pollution.
The Implications of Climate Change for Australia's Great Barrier Reef (Full Report)
Report detailing the ecological, economic and social impacts of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef and the policy implications required to combat these impacts. Produced by WWF-Australia and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.
The Implications of Climate Change for Australia's Great Barrier Reef (Executive Summary)
Executive summary detailing the ecological, economic and social impacts of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef and the policy implications required to combat these impacts. Produced by WWF-Australia and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.
The Implications of Climate Change for Australia's Great Barrier Reef (Key Findings)
Key findings of the full report detailing the ecological, economic and social impacts of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef and the policy implications required to combat these impacts. Produced by WWF-Australia and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.
WWF Australia audit of Australia's largest power generation companies 2003
This is the first annual audit of the major players in Australia's electricity generation sector.
Australia's Polluting Power: Coal-fired electricity and its impact on global warming
Australia needs to institute a major change to the nation's dependency on coal-fired power and raises concerns about risks of underground and ocean-bed storage of carbon dioxide emissions.
Global warming contributes to Australia's worst drought
New research has found that human-induced global warming is a key reason why the Australian drought of 2002 has been so severe.
