Australian Climate Change

            
            
             Over the past 200 years, human activities have significantly altered the world's atmosphere. Increases in greenhouse gas concentrations have led to a warming of the Earth's surface and, because greenhouse gas concentrations are continuing to increase, this warming will continue. Other changes in climate, particularly rainfall, are likely to be associated with this warming. .
             Climate change will have social, economic and ecological impacts. There will be both winners and losers. All our natural ecosystems are vulnerable to climate change. Those particularly at risk are coral reefs, alpine ecosystems, native plants and animals.
             The Great Barrier Reef.
             The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. If climate change continues at this rate the Great Barrier Reef will be annually bleached by 2030.Coral bleaching is a condition that can seriously damage or kill entire reef systems. Corals contain microscopic plants called zooxanthellae that colour their tissues and provide them with food by photosynthesis. When corals become stressed, they expel the zooxanthellae and turn white or "bleach". If zooxanthellae do not return to the coral's tissue, the coral will die.
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             Mount Kosciusko.
             The alpine environment of Australia's highest mountain Mount Kosciusko is under threat. Snow cover has declined in Australia's alpine regions over the last few decades - a trend likely to continue if temperatures continue to climb. By 2070 there could be 96% less snow cover. Alpine wildlife is restricted to the areas between the tree line and the alpine summit. .
             As Australia warms, alpine plants and animals will have to move further up mountains. Climate change could leave alpine species with nowhere to go. More frequent bushfires in alpine regions - a real possibility under climate change - will only add to the threats facing mountaintop dwellers.
             What Is Australia Doing?.
             Domestically, Australia is working to meet the target set for it under the Kyoto Protocol, to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas signature in the longer term.