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Mitigating the drivers of environmental change
2016 Report Content2016 Since the first SoE report in 1996, a great deal of effort has been focused on improving environment-related policies and associated management actions. However, these are often focused on reducing pressures on the environment. For example, Australia’s regulatory regime...
Water use has increased, mitigated by variability in availability
2016 Key Finding2016 Water volumes extracted from the environment to support the Australian economy have grown recently, mitigated somewhat by variations in annual rainfall and the availability of water from storage. Moderate growth in urban water use was seen across most capital cities, reflecting the...
The oceans have somewhat mitigated the effects of emissions
2016 Key Finding2016 The oceans absorb CO2 and heat, and thus limit the rate and immediate extent of changes in climate. In recent decades, the oceans have taken up around 25 per cent of the annual anthropogenic (human) CO2 emissions. However, the capacity of the oceans to absorb CO2 is limited, because...
Outlook for Australia’s climate 2016
2016 At a glanceAt a glanceThe outlook for Australia’s climate depends on the effectiveness of international and national efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Without mitigation, surface temperature increases of 3.7–4.8 °C above 1850–1900 temperatures are projected. To remain below 2 °C warming above...
Residual risks to the marine environment
2016 At a glanceAt a glanceAvoidance and mitigation measures, which are the primary strategies for managing impacts of activities on the marine environment, may not address all impacts associated with the activities. Management may be absent or only partially effective, there may be some impacts that are...
Activities to manage and mitigate threats identified in species recovery plans and threat abatement plans have been limited
2016 Key Finding2016 There is a clear gap between the identification of pressures and issues associated with threats in recovery plans under the EPBC Act, and the implementation of activities that might mitigate pressures and assist the recovery of species or communities that are the focus of plans. A...
Antarctica is warming, although changes in atmospheric circulation brought about by the Antarctic ozone hole have been a temporary mitigating factor that has reduced the overall amount of warming, primarily in summer
2016 Key Finding2016During the past half-century, western Antarctic surface temperatures have shown general warming trends, with significant regional patterns. Cooling of the lower stratosphere because of ozone depletion in spring and early summer has helped to mitigate the amount of warming during the...
Figure MAR39 Schematic of different types of cumulative impacts
2016 GraphAm image showing a representation of different types of activities, indicated by horizontal bars of 3 different colours, and the total impact of those activities, indicated by a vertical black line. The top part of the image shows activities that have no cumulative impact, in which...
In general, the outlook for Australia’s environment depends on our ability to effectively address the complex mix of drivers, pressures and risks. This includes decoupling the economy from environmental harm...
2016 Key Finding2016In general, the outlook for Australia’s environment depends on our ability to effectively address the complex mix of drivers, pressures and risks. This includes decoupling the economy from environmental harm, and mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Integrated management and better understanding of the cumulative impacts of multiple uses are key to improving coastal management
2016 Key Finding2016 Management effectiveness could improve with a move towards integrated management that can simultaneously assess and mitigate the impacts of multiple activities and pressures. This would also be likely to reduce human-use conflict on the coast.
Australia is warming
2016 Key Finding2016 Australian average temperatures have increased by 1 °C in the past 100 years, especially since the 1950s. The year 2013 was Australia’s warmest year on record, and the springs of 2013, 2014 and 2015 were Australia’s 3 warmest springs on record. Without mitigation, a surface...
Executive Summary - Atmosphere
2016 Executive SummaryAtmosphere 2016Climate change is a global problem, and minimising its impact on the Australian environment will require coordinated international action by all countries. The Paris Agreement, to which 195 countries have agreed, aims to hold the increase in the...
Outlook for the coastal environment 2016
2016 At a glanceAt a glanceThe current pressures associated with human population, catchment land use, agriculture and resource extraction are growing and will be exacerbated by the increasing pressures of climate change. The most significant climate change pressures for the coast include sea level rise,...
The nature of impacts of climate change on biodiversity is becoming better understood
2016 Key Finding2016Broad understanding of potential impacts of climate change on some Australian species (e.g. birds) has increased. In the past 5 years, all jurisdictions have put in place climate change strategies or have significantly advanced planning for adaptation. However, the level of detail...
Overview of effectiveness of management of the marine environment
2016 Report Content2016 Marine environment Effectiveness of management Many improvements to management frameworks across Australian and state and territory governments introduced since 2011, including the implementation of new national...
Resilience of Australia’s climate 2016
2016 At a glanceAt a glanceOur planet is somewhat resilient to increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) levels because atmospheric CO2 is absorbed by the oceans. During recent decades, the oceans have taken up approximately 25 per cent of the annual anthropogenic CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. However, the...
Resilience of our environment and society
2016 Report Content2016 Climate Resilience South Coast South Australian Gulf Timor Sea Great Barrier Reef Marine North...
Outlook
2016 At a glanceIn general, the outlook for Australia’s environment depends on our ability to effectively address the complex mix of drivers, pressures and risks discussed in this report. This mix can be addressed through: leadership effective engagement of the community and private sector continued...
Risks to heritage 2016
2016 At a glanceAt a glanceAustralia’s heritage continues to be under-resourced, and at risk from both natural and human factors. Some risks, such as catastrophic fire or extreme weather events, may not be easily mitigated, and instead may require post-event response. Events such as the removal of statutory...
Assessing the effectiveness of biodiversity management
2016 Report Content... is also a need to plan for climate change adaptation and mitigation. ...
Some pressures are increasing, with uncertain impacts on the marine environment
2016 Key Finding2016Since 2011, there has been an increase in most forms of vessel activity in marine waters. As a result, risks associated with grounding of vessels, anchor scouring, accidents at sea in ecologically sensitive areas, vessel strike of marine animals, and introduction of foreign marine...
Effectiveness of coastal management 2016
2016 At a glanceAt a glanceQualities that make Australia’s coast remarkable—its vastness and diversity—also make it challenging to manage. The coast is important to a wide range of stakeholders, and is often subject to competing interests that require effective management. All tiers of government (local,...
Executive summary - Drivers
2016 Executive Summary2016Globally, the human-caused drivers of change to the environment are demographic, economic, socio-political, scientific, technological, cultural and religious. In Australia, the key drivers of environmental change are population and economic activity. The extent to which these drivers...
Overview of effectiveness of management of inland water
2016 Report Content2016 Inland water Effectiveness of management Murray Darling The Murray–Darling Basin Plan, which came into effect in late 2012, guides governments, regional authorities and communities about...
Pressures affecting Australia’s air quality 2016
2016 At a glanceAt a glanceAustralian ambient air quality is mostly affected by increasing human activity and climate change. The population of Australia’s major cities continues to increase, with both increasing urban density and expanding boundaries. The corresponding increase in emissions from transport...
Motor vehicles
2016 Report Content2016 Ambient air quality Pressures Motor vehicles emit a wide range of pollutants from their tailpipes, and are a major source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (e.g. Figure ATM30). These are supplemented by...
Box HER12 Rocla Quarry, Calga, New South Wales
2016 Case Study... could be protected through adaptive management and mitigation measures, considering such measures to be ‘too ...
Box BLT1 Managing Melbourne’s grasslands on a city fringe
2016 Case StudyMelbourne’s outskirts are experiencing some of the largest population growth in the country, and this urban development places pressure on the availability and quality of the natural environment and agricultural land. Results of a study, published in the journal Ecological...
Management achievements
2016 Report Content2016 Antarctic environment Effectiveness of management Antarctica Australian officials actively participate in the international forums of the Antarctic Treaty System to promote improved...
Marine vessel activity
2016 Report Content2016 Marine environment Pressures Great Barrier Reef International vessels International vessels operating in Australian waters mainly comprise large cargo carriers, but may also include...
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