Have there been any major problems with the changes in climates?
There have already been some major problems caused by the changes in our climate. One big problem is that the Earth is getting warmer, and this is causing things like land and marine heatwaves (yes, we have heatwaves in the ocean too!), and more powerful storms and cyclones. Cyclones get some of their energy from the heat in the ocean, and a warmer ocean provides more heat, and so a stronger cyclone results. That is bad news for people living on coasts when cyclones hit.
The changes in our climate are having significant impacts on animals and their habitats – in both the land and the sea. One of these major changes is loss of habitat. As the Earth gets warmer, some areas where animals live are changing or disappearing. For example, penguins that need ice to breed are losing their sea ice habitat in the Antarctic which means many of the chicks can die, as happened in 2023 for Emperor Penguins. As the habitat changes, some species move to new areas. Fish that need warmer water, and used to live off New South Wales are now found in Tasmania. You can see a list of these species at the RedMap Australia website: https://www.redmap.org.au/region/tas/.
Climate change can affect the availability of food for animals. Changes in temperature can disrupt the timing of when plants bloom or when animals give birth, which can lead to food shortages for some species. This can result in animals struggling to find enough food to survive.
All these challenges can lead to a higher risk of extinction for some species. When animals can't adapt to the changing conditions or find new places to live, their populations may decline and, in some cases, they may go extinct.
In Tasmania, and many other places, scientists are working hard to understand and address these challenges by implementing conservation strategies, such as creating protected areas for wildlife. Additionally, you and your family can help by taking actions to reduce your carbon footprint and protect natural habitats.
