The world is in a state of climate emergency. The climate crisis poses a formidable threat to the unique ecosystems that define Australia, from the Great Barrier Reef to the vast expanses of arid outback.
In recent years, Australia has experienced unprecedented heatwaves, exacerbating water scarcity issues and challenging the resilience of both urban and rural communities. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as cyclones and floods, are on the rise, demanding urgent attention and collective action. Darwin, in particular, faces the dual challenge of adapting to a changing climate while promoting sustainable living practices that mitigate further environmental degradation.
The effects of climate change for the Top End include:
The impacts of these are already felt in Darwin. They are projected to intensity.
The UN Secretary-General has declared the climate emergency as a "code red for humanity".
The concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere causes global temperatures to rise with a host of impacts and catastrophic consequences.
The "State of the Climate" refers to the current and ongoing condition of the Earth's climate system. This term is often used in scientific reports and assessments that provide a comprehensive overview of various climate indicators, trends, and changes occurring on a global scale. These assessments typically encompass a range of climate variables such as temperature, precipitation, sea level, atmospheric composition, and more.
The UN Environment Programme keeps the State of the Climate updated on their interactive website. You can view:
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The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has identified six sectors that need can lead to substantial cuts to GHG emissions. They have termed this the Six Sector Solution.
These sectors are:
You can check out their interactive Roadmap to a Carbon-Free Future on their website.
UNEP works across these six sectors to support the transition to a low-carbon and more resilient future.
The effects of climate change that we experience locally include:
Climate Action Darwin are a local community group that have detailed the impacts of climate change on their website. These include:
Declarations of climate emergencies are symbolic gestures that recognize the urgency and severity of the climate crisis and often commit organizations to take action to address and mitigate climate change.
In the Northern Territory, the City of Darwin declared a Climate Emergency on 31 May 2019. It is currently the only NT local government body to take this important step.
The City of Darwin have agreed to the following priority areas:
Various local governments and councils across Australia have also made similar declarations, each tailoring their commitments to the specific needs and challenges of their communities. Beyond government entities, some businesses and institutions have also declared climate emergencies, pledging to reduce their carbon footprint, adopt sustainable practices, and contribute to broader climate action efforts.
To find out more about climate declarations check out the following websites and maps: