Climate Change in Victoria - Basics
Climate Change in Victoria
What is Climate Change?
The Earth’s climate has changed over the last century. Increases in average temperatures have been seen around the globe and there is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed of the last 50 years is due to human activities.
While climate change is a global issue, it will affect us all. Climate change has the potential to adversely affect our environment, our communities and our economy unless we take action now to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts.
Climate change will alter global and local climates. In Victoria, this means a warmer and drier future, with an increasing likelihood of more extreme events such as heat waves, bushfires and storm surges.
Impacts of Climate Change
The impact that climate change summarises some of the potential impacts we can expect from these changes, informed by both actual research and examples described overseas. It is hoped that by exploring these potential impacts that we can facilitate thinking on how we can begin to moderate risks and prepare for change.
Water resources and management
Victoria's water resources are likely to become increasingly vulnerable to climate change, due to projected drying trends over much of the state. At the same time, demand for water may grow as a result of increasing population, warmer temperatures and higher evaporation rates. These impacts could, however, be offset if we get more rain in summer.
Water quality may be affected by changes in the number and types of organisms, water temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, transportation of water sediment and chemicals, and the volume of water flow.
Decreases in stream flow, impacts on coastal underground water and intertidal habitats, and increased salinity will be critical issues for the management of our water supply and natural resources.
Agriculture and primary production
Climate change may affect crops and livestock, depending on
What is Climate Change?
The Earth’s climate has changed over the last century. Increases in average temperatures have been seen around the globe and there is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed of the last 50 years is due to human activities.
While climate change is a global issue, it will affect us all. Climate change has the potential to adversely affect our environment, our communities and our economy unless we take action now to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts.
Climate change will alter global and local climates. In Victoria, this means a warmer and drier future, with an increasing likelihood of more extreme events such as heat waves, bushfires and storm surges.
Impacts of Climate Change
The impact that climate change summarises some of the potential impacts we can expect from these changes, informed by both actual research and examples described overseas. It is hoped that by exploring these potential impacts that we can facilitate thinking on how we can begin to moderate risks and prepare for change.
Water resources and management
Victoria's water resources are likely to become increasingly vulnerable to climate change, due to projected drying trends over much of the state. At the same time, demand for water may grow as a result of increasing population, warmer temperatures and higher evaporation rates. These impacts could, however, be offset if we get more rain in summer.
Water quality may be affected by changes in the number and types of organisms, water temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, transportation of water sediment and chemicals, and the volume of water flow.
Decreases in stream flow, impacts on coastal underground water and intertidal habitats, and increased salinity will be critical issues for the management of our water supply and natural resources.
Agriculture and primary production
Climate change may affect crops and livestock, depending on