Damning climate report paints bleak future for regional WA with farmers and the environment on the frontline

The Federal Government’s damning National Climate Risk Assessment has painted a bleak picture for the future of South West WA with farming communities and the environment on the frontlines of the climate crisis. The report released on Monday predicted more frequent and longer lasting droughts to occur by 2050 — potentially seeing crop yields fall by as much as 40 per cent and forests in the South West expected to face repeat extreme fires events. The report claimed that by 2050, reduced rainfall could lead to major competition for water, impacting agricultural productivity and community livelihoods in rural Australia while several major cities may experience major flooding events. The South West specifically is predicted to receive significantly less rainfall leading to more intense aridity, lower soil moisture and a higher fire risk. “Farming communities are at the frontline of climate change impacts,” the report said. “Farming communities will face heightened water security concerns, affecting agricultural productivity and community livelihoods and potentially reducing the ability to respond to bushfires. “Places such as South West WA have demonstrated the immense capacity of the agriculture sector to adapt, and therefore the risk to productivity, especially at producer scale, is difficult to estimate.” As one of two globally recognised biodiversity hotpots in Australia, South West’s ecosystems are also predicted to be heavily impacted, with more stress added to already struggling ecosystems. The report states since 1970, Australia has lost half of its suitable habitat for countless plant and animal species, with the South West has been victim to some of the most severe losses of healthy forest in the country. Climate change and habitat loss was already a leading threat to several endangered WA natives, including the black cockatoo, western ringtail possum and white bellied frog. The report goes on to state coastal and marine areas off the southern Australia contain high biodiversity, with many endemic marine species also at risk. “Drying in the south-west of the nation, where increased time in drought has occurred since the 1970s, is projected to increase at all future levels of global warming,” it said. South West Natural Resource Management CEO Dr Manda Page said it is “sobering” to see the risks outlined which put additional pressure on the already threatened and vulnerable species and ecosystems — moving many closer to the “extinction cliff-face”. “Our work on the ground — whether that’s protecting threatened species like the Carnaby’s black cockatoo and white bellied frogs, restoring landscapes, or supporting farmers to adapt — directly addresses many of the vulnerabilities highlighted in the report,” she said. “The National Climate Risk Assessment is an important reminder that climate change is not an abstract, distant threat — it’s a present-day reality with very real consequences for our communities, environment, and economy.” Dr Page said no single organisation or sector could tackle the challenges alone. “This assessment helps prioritise where we can have the biggest impact and gives our community, industry, and government partners a clearer picture of the urgent work ahead,” she said. “Our job now is to work with our partners to turn these national findings into local solutions.” Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australians were already living with the consequences of climate change. “It’s clear every degree of warming we prevent now will help future generations avoid the worst impacts in years to come,” he said. “After a decade of denial and delay, we are acting on climate change — and it’s working. “Emissions are coming down, there is record investment in clean energy and we’re working alongside communities to respond and adapt to the impacts.” The report comes just days after the Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt granted the final approval for Woodside’s North West Shelf gas processing plant — the largest fossil fuel project in Australia’s history — to keep operating until 2070, though with strict conditions aimed at protecting nearby ancient Indigenous rock art. Farmers for Climate Action CEO Natalie Collard welcomed the new report as a necessary reminder of the cost of failing to reduce carbon pollution which she said would be paid by farmers on the front line. “We need deep pollution reduction this decade to protect our farmers and our food supply,” Ms Collard said. “Coal and gas produce 60 per cent of Australia’s carbon emissions, and we have alternatives to using those things for energy — there are no alternatives for farmers to produce food. “Food security is national security — it’s time all sides put their tribalism and ideology aside and work together to reduce pollution to protect our farmers and our food supply.” Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox warned businesses were already wearing the costs of climate change through disasters, the rising cost of insurance and disrupted supply chains. The risk assessment was “sobering reading”, he said, but it highlighted the need for ongoing actions to cut emissions and prevent further upheaval. “We may need to work for the best on mitigation while planning for the worst on adaptation,” Mr Willox said.