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THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY

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: 

  • More days above 30° and 35°C
  • Higher average temperatures
  • More frequent and severe extreme weather events
  • Increased sea level rise
  • More frequent and severe flooding events
  • Longer dry periods

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: 

  • Total emissions by country
  • Per capita emissions
  • Country trends

Go there now

 

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: 

  • Energy
  • Industry
  • Agriculture, Food and Waste
  • Nature based solutions
  • Transport
  • Buildings and Cities

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.

Go there now

The effects of climate change that we experience locally include: 

  • More days above 30° and 35° Celsius
  • Higher average temperatures
  • More frequent and severe extreme weather events
  • More variable and severe rainfall events
  • Increased sea level rise
  • More frequent and severe flooding events
  • Longer dry periods

Climate Action Darwin are a local community group that have detailed the impacts of climate change on their website. These include: 

  1. Local impacts
  2. Ecological impacts
  3. Health impacts
  4. Economic impacts

Go there now

 

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:

  1. Decarbonisation
  2. Education
  3. Adaptation

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: