Australia's environment improves short-term, long-term issues worsen

Australia's environment scored a 7.7 out of 10 in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of relatively favorable conditions. Good rainfall helped alleviate some effects of climate change. Rivers were strong, bushfire activity was low, and vegetation thrived. However, this situation hides long-term environmental problems that continue to worsen. The report shows that while certain areas, especially in the north and east, enjoyed better conditions, other regions faced severe dryness. Australia had its second hottest year ever in 2024, with rising sea levels and extreme weather still being major concerns. The Great Barrier Reef faced significant bleaching, yet regular rainfall kept bushfire risks lower. Despite brief improvements, Australia's overall environmental situation remains precarious. The country's greenhouse gas emissions, among the highest in the world, have stalled in efforts to reduce climate impacts. The list of threatened species grew by 41 in 2024, although this is an improvement from previous years. There is optimism about some signs of stabilization in biodiversity. Slight recovery in threatened species was observed between 2020 and 2021. Yet, more must be done to secure long-term improvements. Australia needs to strengthen its climate policies and conservation efforts to prevent temporary changes from masking ongoing environmental decline.