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‘Dangerous sea level rise’ is continually thrown about as our potential future if we’re not careful. And while this is scientifically true and a real problem, there is less discussion about what climate change has already done to Australian waters and the wildlife they are home to.
A new study of Australian reef species (including fish, corals, invertebrates and algae) has shown that between 2008 and 2021, 57% of reef species showed population decline, 28% of the species can be classified as ‘threatened’ and 28 of the species can now be classified as ‘critically endangered’. The warming planet was cited as a major reason for these findings.
Not even the turtles are safe. The sex of a turtle is determined by the environmental temperature and eggs subject to temperatures above 29.1 degrees Celsius will produce females. Studies have recently shown that 99% of turtles are female – with few males, the production of offspring is greatly reduced. Climate change is therefore hastening their endangerment and extinction.
Fresh water systems are also affected. With the average temperature rising and more extreme heat events, the available oxygen content of the water is decreased causing fish to suffocate. Just this year, both the floods and following heatwaves in the Menindee region reduced the oxygenation of the Darling River and ultimately led to millions of fish being killed.
But it is not just the temperature of the water that is of concern. More extreme weather events, resulting in severe flooding can wash organic matter, bacteria and toxins into rivers and oceans. This compromises the health of the wildlife that live there, as well as those that drink from it or play in it, including ourselves.
Even though trying to ‘fix’ our oceans and fresh water systems seems like a hopeless cause, there is something you can do: fight climate change.
Pressure your local governments to take greater and faster climate action and advocate for the phase-out of fossil fuels.
Donate to organisations like World Wildlife Fund or Vets For Climate Action so they can continue to push for change.
And personally, don’t succumb to the fear that ‘nothing I do will make a difference’. Do what you can and do it well. Switch to an electric vehicle, cut back on plastics, put up some solar panels, and most of all talk, talk, talk. Tell people you’re afraid, yell about your worry for the oceans and scream that we need to do better. If we all do our bit, no matter how small, we have a fighting chance to save our oceans, our rivers, our country and our planet.
Regina is a final year veterinary student at the University of Adelaide and a volunteer with Vets for Climate Action. She was born in country Victoria and would like to work in rural mixed practice in Victoria upon graduation. In doing so, Regina hopes to continue to contribute to climate action and advocate for sustainability while also following her passion in treating animals of all shapes and sizes. In 2023, Regina's research project 'Is biomedical research driving a monkey business?' was published in the Journal of One Health, of which she was the primary author. In her spare time, Regina enjoys yoga, reading and bushwalking.
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