[Greens-Media] Climate change crunch time for south-west biodiversity?

[Twomey, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

Climate change crunch time for south-west biodiversity?

"The latest figures on climate change for our southwest suggest that the
drying and warming of its climate is likely to exceed the resilience and
adaptive capacity of its diverse and fragmented ecosystems," said
Senator Rachel Siewert today.

In the last two weeks we have seen two reports that, taken in isolation,
would be cause for concern. 

However, when we put the latest IOCI climate forecast for the southwest
together with the ANAO report on the Commonwealth's performance on
biodiversity conservation, I believe West Australian's have a right to
be fearful for the future of our internationally recognised south-west
biodiversity hotspot.

Last week the Australian National Audi Office (ANAO) delivered a
scathing report on the performance of the Department of Environment and
Water Resources (DEW) in administering the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC)Act and protecting threatened species.

"The Howard government committed in 2000 that it would have recovery
plans for 583 threatened species in place by 2004. Seven years later
only 22% of the plans have been completed, while the number of species
at risk continues to grow."

The report indicates that the Howard government was failing to meet its
international obligations and does not have the capacity to enforce its
own environmental protection laws. It also shows that little has been
done to conserve threatened species or to protect its biodiversity
hotspots (like the southwest).

"Without concerted action to protect our south-west ecosystems, to
provide green corridors and increase the resilience of a highly diverse
and highly fragmented landscape, the impacts of climate change in the
south-west could result in an ecological catastrophe."

The latest report from the Indian Ocean Climate Initiative (IOCI)
indicates that the south-west will become considerably warmer and drier,
with rainfall decreasing by up to 20% by 2030 and runoff by up to 40%.

	           
For more information or comment call 
Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025

Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au
http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au

RESCUE THE SENATE

Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia

Tuesday 3rd April 2007