Australia's top science agencies warn the country is already gripped by climate change, with hotter spring temperatures, declining rainfall and sea level rises more than three times the global average in some areas.
A six-page national climate snapshot published today by the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology suggests Australia could warm by up to 5 degrees - well above the 2 degree danger threshold determined by the United Nations - if current global green emission levels continue unchecked.
CSIRO chief executive Megan Clark said climate records showed Australia had become hotter and drier over the past 50 years. Warming had occurred in all seasons, with the strongest warming occurring in spring (0.9 degrees) and the weakest in summer (0.4 degrees).
''Climate change is real. Our records show there is no disputing that, and the next step is to meet this challenge through mitigation and adaptation,'' Dr Clark said.
Bureau of Meteorology director Greg Ayres said the reality of climate change was clearly evident in Australia's climate records.
''Australia holds one of the best national climate records in the world. The bureau's been responsible for keeping that record for more than 100 years and it's there for anyone and everyone to see, use and analyse,'' Dr Ayres said.
For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.
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