State of the Climate
The State of the Climate series is a biennial joint publication between Australia’s two leading climate science agencies — CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.
The series draws on the latest climate research, encompassing observations, analyses and projections to describe year-to-year variability and longer-term changes in Australia’s climate. The 2020 report is a synthesis of our current understanding of climate in Australia and includes new information about Australia’s climate of the past, present and future.
[A map outline of Australia with an illustration of a parent and child standing on a hill looking over the Australian landscape.]
Our climate shapes the lives of all Australians.
[The map expands revealing more of the scene with the text reading State of the Climate 2020]
So how is our climate changing and why?
Despite some slowdown during COVID-19,
[The scene changes to a graph displaying the carbon emissions rates labelled CO2 parts per million and dating back to 800,000 years ago. Text on the left-hand side of the screen reads Global CO2 concentrations are now higher than any time in the last 2 million years]
global carbon dioxide concentrations are now higher than any time in the last 2 million years.
[The graph shifts to one side and a magnifying glass comes onto the screen magnifying the sharp increase in emissions since 1500 AD]
The enhanced greenhouse effect is a major driver of our changing climate.
[Text on screen reads The enhanced greenhouse effect is a major drive of our changing climate]
[The screen shifts to a graph showing temperature changes over time, text on the right-hand reading Australia's temperatures continue to rise with a graph illustrating an upward trend since 1900]
Australia's temperatures continue to rise, with more frequent and intense heatwaves. These trends are projected to continue.
[An illustration of a tropical forest with the text increased dangerous fire weather days comes on screen]
The number of dangerous fire weather days is increasing,
[Animated fire comes on screen]
with longer fire seasons for the east and south of the country.
[The camera pans across onto animated plains showing the grasslands burning]
Over time, long-term rainfall patterns have shifted.
[Text comes on the bottom of the screen overlaid into the animation reading the southern half of Australia is becoming drier]
The southern half of Australia is becoming drier during the cooler months,
[The grass in the animation wilts and falls away]
and combined with warming temperatures, there will be more time spent in severe drought.
[The scene shifts to an overview of the animated rainforest with rain pouring down and text reading Wet season rainfall over central and northern parts has increased]
In contrast, wet season rainfall over central and northern parts has increased.
[The scene changes to an animated ocean with arrows darting into the water]
[Text comes on screen reading our oceans are acidifying with multiple down arrows next to PH to symbolize the increased acidity of the oceans]
The oceans are absorbing some of the additional carbon emitted by humans.
As this happens they are acidifying.
Ocean temperatures continue to increase,
[The animation shows us a view over a clear ocean with the text ocean temperatures continue to increase]
and marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe.
[An animation of fish swimming in the depths of the ocean with the text beside it reading Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe]
As a result of the warming oceans, sea levels are rising and the rate of increase is accelerating.
[An animated graph shows the rising sea levels since 1880 and the text above reads sea levels are rising]
Looking ahead, all these trends are projected to continue, though reducing global emissions
[An animated man and woman stand on a hillside locking across to a city in the distance]
will lead to less warming and impacts.
[The scene shrinks being the image within an outline of the map of Australia]
With better science than ever before, State of the Climate can help Australians better plan and adapt for our changing climate.
[Text on screen State of the Climate 2020 above the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology logo, bom.gov.au and to the right the CSIRO logo, csiro.au]