Climate Change

Coal accounts for 1/3 of global greenhouse emissions. If we want to tackle climate change, we have to tackle coal. But domestically and on the export market, Australia is hooked on coal.

Causes

The single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions is burning fossil fuels, primarily coal. Burning coal releases carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming.

Impacts:

Small increases in temperature can have huge effects on wind, rainfall, and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like storms and cyclones. These small changes can have serious impacts on ecological and social systems.

Up to 50% of Earth's land-based species are likely to become extinct due to climate change by 2050. Both droughts and floods are also projected to increase, threatening food security. Sea level rise will be a serious problem for people living in low-lying areas, such as Small Island Nations and the 80% of people living along Australia's coasts.