Climate calling

Australia could soon see megadroughts that last for more than 20 years, new modelling suggests. The bleak research from the Australian National University and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes has found these droughts could be worse than anything else in recent historical experience.

Weeks of above-average temperatures have taken a toll on the Great Barrier Reef, as scientists confirm at least two-thirds of the reef is experiencing another mass bleaching. With coral bleaching events affecting more and more reefs worldwide, some are fearing the Great Barrier Reef won't recover as it has in the past.

While 2023 was the hottest year on record for the planet, for Australia, it was a year of all extremes. Australia experienced its warmest winter ever, with a contrast of summer weather patterns seen across the country. In its latest report, the Climate Council is calling it a "climate whiplash".

Australians consume 3.8 million tonnes of plastic every year, causing serious harm to wildlife, marine ecosystems and human life. New research from the Australia Institute suggests that taxing plastic packaging could raise around $1.5 billion a year, which some believe might help reduce consumption.

The declaration of an El Nino weather system last Spring prompted warnings of a summer of heatwaves and widespread bushfires. Instead, residents and emergency services in Australia's east have contended with unprecedented rainfall and dramatic floods. It's left many wondering what happened, and what weather is in store for Australia the rest of the season.

Extreme floods have been leaving people homeless and resulting in casualties across Australia. Experts say this could be the result of failures to adapt flood planning to environmental changes.

Some Victorian communities remain under threat from floodwaters with more homes expected to be inundated. As clean up efforts begin in some regional towns, the flood threat remains active at Murchison and Shepparton, and Echuca.

From bluebottles, to octopi, and jellyfish of all shapes and sizes, there are many creatures in Australia's coastal waters that cause stings or - in a few rare cases - death, for those unlucky enough to encounter them. Australia is in the midst of marine stinger season, with a spate of Irukandji jellyfish stings reported near Cairns, sightings of the Blue-ringed octopus in Sydney and Perth, and bl...

Earth last year shattered annual heat records, flirted with the world’s agreed-upon warming threshold and showed more signs of a feverish planet. The European climate agency Copernicus says the world in 2023 was 1.48 Celsius above pre-industrial times - the hottest year in history. And global warming has serious implications for Australia.

The Queensland government says the recovery from natural disasters in the state's far north and southeast will cost more than two billion dollars. Premier Steven Miles has announced a multi-million-dollar relief package in the meantime he hopes will bring tourists back to some affected areas, and ease the pain of economic losses.

A massive cleanup is underway in south-east Queensland after a series of storms lashed the region. Rain has finally eased allowing the recovery effort to begin in earnest, with about 50 Australian Defence Force personnel to arrive on Thursday. But the rest of eastern Australia has not escaped the wild weather unscathed.

We often hear about society's high achievers, but there are others in our community working as role models of change. Kurt Jones is the founder of Coexist. What started as a high school assignment has now morphed into an environmental charity with 200 volunteers.

For the first time, nations have agreed to set up a mechanism where wealthier nations pay poorer nations for the severe climate change impacts they're experiencing like rising sea levels and extreme weather events. The idea for a so-called loss and damage fund was raised by small island states more than 30 years ago. Pacific island nations have welcomed the deal, but say the swift delivery of fund...

Australia is bracing for another summer of unpredictable weather, as thunderstorms and fires have already hit parts of the country. Climate scientists, health practitioners and disaster responders warn the wild weather is set to continue, urging communities to work together to be prepared.

Climate change has again been at the forefront of the news throughout 2023. SBS looks back on how the world has been dealing with the issue over the last 12 months.

Authorities have picked up a 2.5 metre saltwater crocodile found swimming in the north Queensland town of Ingham after a creek burst its banks. Ingham has been cut-off both to the north and south, one of the towns to be impacted by the heavy rain pounding Queensland in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

An historic deal has been made by almost 200 countries at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai. After days of tense negotiations, the agreement offers a plan to keep the target of 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach, and transition away from all fossil fuels. But not everyone is satisfied with the summit outcome.

The United Nations climate summit in Dubai has been forced into overtime, as the future of fossil fuels divides countries. But some climate representatives have suggested there's been progress on implementing tougher language on fossil fuels.

A potential climate deal has been proposed at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai as the gathering nears its end. But Australia, the United States and European powers have called for a more ambitious deal with tougher language around fossil fuels.

The C-S-I-R-O have completed initial testing of a breakthrough weather service that it hopes will support Australia's aquaculture industry. The scientists have trialled the new 'AquaWatch' technology in South Australia's seafood hub, the Spencer Gulf in South Australia.

How do you ensure permanent statehood if your home nation is swallowed by rising sea levels? Tuvalu is looking at digital and legal solutions.

As the UN climate talks draw to a close, negotiators are under increasing pressure to forge an agreement on fossil fuels. COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber has emphasised the urgency of the need to avert disastrous global warming.

The world's first ever Global Cooling Pledge has been signed by 63 nations, but the absence of Australia on the list has been criticised by an Australian climate tech entrepreneur.

On the eighth day of the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, delegates have discussed ways to better protect the ocean's atmosphere. Meanwhile, for the first time in history, a COP gathering has hosted a sustainable fashion show.

On the seventh day of the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, U-N climate chief Simon Stiell has urged attendees to agree on a phase out of fossil fuels. It comes as Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has arrived in Dubai with pressure mounting for Australia to increase financing for Pacific countries.