Emissions Reduction Targets and the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

“Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level.”

Scientific research from multiple independent sources indicates that the emission of greenhouse gases by human activities is the primary cause of the observed global average warming of 0.7oC over the past century1. Australia’s land and sea temperatures are currently warming at the global average rate. Furthermore, emissions over the past century have already committed us to a future increase in global average temperature of at least 1oC 1.

The most recent evidence shows that the climate is changing more rapidly than earlier thought likely2. This underscores the need for immediate action to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities that are responsible for climate change, and to adapt to the changes we cannot prevent.