Climate change in Western Australia

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Climate change in Western Australia affects various environments and industries, including agriculture.

Contents

Greenhouse gas emissions

By 2022, annual emissions in Western Australia increased by 10% compared to 2005. [1] The state's emissions amounted to 76.23 million tonnes in 2005 compared to 82.64 million tonnes in 2022. [1]

Impacts of climate change

Human health

Heat-related deaths in Perth may rise by 60% over the period from 2024 to 2050. [2] The incidence of cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological disorders would rise. [3] Potentially food and water security may be compromised. [3]

Flooding

Flooding has significantly damaged roads and is expected to increase in frequency. [4] [5]

Response

Policies

In November 2020, the Western Australian government released its long-awaited climate policy, which articulated an aspiration, but no commitment to achieving zero emissions by 2050. [6] The Western Australian government approved a 50-year extension to the North West Shelf gas project in 2024. [7] Public transport was free during the period from December 14, 2024 to February 5, 2025. [8]

Legislation

The Western Australian government shelved a bill to legislate a binding 2030 emissions target ahead of the 2025 state election. [9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Shine, Rhiannon (2024-04-24). "WA's greenhouse gas emissions continue to climb above 2005 levels despite net zero pledge". ABC. Archived from the original on 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  2. ↑ Trigger, Rebecca; Al Jrood, Tabarak (2024-05-16). "Heat-related deaths in Perth could rise almost 60 per cent by 2050 if temperatures keep rising". ABC. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  3. 1 2 Teasdale, Natalie; Panegyres, Peter K (2023-07-01). "Climate change in Western Australia and its impact on human health". The Journal of Climate Change and Health. 12: 100243. doi:10.1016/j.joclim.2023.100243. ISSN   2667-2782.
  4. ↑ Williams, Courtney-Jay; Hay, Toni (2023-01-16). "Disastrous floods in WA – why were we not prepared?". The Conversation. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  5. ↑ Lu, Donna (2025-02-12). "Floods, heatwaves, possible snow and a cyclone: what is happening with Australia's weather?". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  6. ↑ Godden, Naomi Joy; Wijekoon, Doreen; Wrigley, Kylie (2022-10-02). "Social (In)justice, climate change and climate policy in Western Australia". Environmental Sociology. 8 (4): 377–387. doi:10.1080/23251042.2022.2069216. ISSN   2325-1042.
  7. ↑ Shine, Rhiannon; Turner, Macey (2025-12-12). "WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby approves 50-year extension of North West Shelf gas project". ABC. Archived from the original on 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  8. ↑ "State Government announces free public transport for West Aussies from December 14 to February 5". PerthNow. 2024-11-23. Archived from the original on 2025-02-01. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  9. ↑ Morton, Adam (2024-10-02). "WA Labor government accused of shelving climate laws as emissions continue to rise". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-03-05.
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