News Release
 6 April 2001
 

Senator Hill lists climate change as another key threat to endangered species

"The listing is a recognition that even more problems lie ahead for Australia's threatened wildlife as global warming takes effect. HSI's nomination quoted Government studies that predict that 24 mammals, 15 birds, 2 reptiles, 3 frogs and 3 fish species, already listed as threatened, are going to be further imperilled by global warming. We further documented the warning bells scientists have been ringing over the future of the Great Barrier Reef when the planet warms" said Nicola Beynon, HSI's Wildlife and Habitats Program Manager.

"The already threatened Mountain Pygmy Possum, Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat, Long Footed Potoroo, Heath Rat and Kowari are among species not expected to cope with the new threats posed by global warming. As temperatures and rainfall patterns change, suitable habitats for these species are predicted to shift in altitude or latitude, shrink or disappear altogether. 

With just 1°C warming it has been predicted that the threatened Mountain Pygmy Possum will lose its entire alpine habitat. The International Panel on Climate Change is predicting an increase in global averaged surface temperature by 1.4 to 5.8 degrees celcius over the period 1990 to 2100.

In past eras of natural climate change, species would have been better able to adapt as their habitats had not already been so greatly reduced and fragmented by human development. In today's world there is not much room for species to adapt to new climates" said Nicola Beynon. 

The Commonwealth must now put in place a National Threat Abatement Plan and implement measures to help species adjust to global warming. Such a plan could include protection for wildlife corridors and buffer zones that would give species room to adapt when their habitats shift and shrink. 

"With the Kyoto negotiations falling apart, HSI believes the need for a Threat Abatement Plan is greater than ever" said Ms Beynon.
HSI's also calls for Australia to mitigate the threat at its source and do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One tool to achieve this would be to include a 'greenhouse trigger' under the EPBC Act so that the Federal Environment Minister could regulate large greenhouse gas emitting projects. The ALP, Democrats and Greens are all on the record as supporting a greenhouse trigger in the EPBC Act. Senator Hill released a draft greenhouse trigger last year but the Coalition Government has failed to deliver on this initiative.
HSI has also successfully nominated climate change, which is now listed under NSW and Victorian threatened species laws. HSI is now awaiting required Threat Abatement Strategies from both Governments. 

For further information please contact

Humane Society International
enquiry@hsi.org.au
PO Box 439
Avalon NSW 2107
Australia
Tel: +61 (02) 9973 1728
Fax: +61 (02) 9973 1729