Our Work on Climate Change: Our continued reliance on electricity sourced from coal-fired power stations is causing a dramatic increase in the Earth’s temperature (also known as climate change). This is causing sea levels to rise, an increase in freak weather events like drought and severe storms, and a massive change to the habitats species rely on to survive. As Australians, we are among the highest greenhouse gas polluters in the world, mainly because almost all of our electricity comes from burning coal. Switching to cleaner energy sources now – like wind power, solar energy, gas – will result in a major reduction in climate change impacts over the next 50 years, potentially saving thousands of Australian species, and preserving iconic Australian areas like Kakadu, Mt Kosciuszko and the Great Barrier Reef.
WWF is working to make this switch possible by:
working with partners to develop a policy roadmap for how to achieve an 50% cut in pollution from electricity by the middle of this century
encouraging the power sector to clean up its act
asking Australians to actively reject proposals for new coal-fired power stations and support cleaner alternatives
How you can help:
Send a letter to NSW Premier Bob Carr asking him to invest in clean energy power stations.
Send a letter to Queensland Premier Peter Beattie asking him to not back down on efficient heating in homes.
Switch to green power for your home and business electricity.
Read our reports on achievable renewable energy solutions
Support WWF so that we can continue our work on critical environmental issues such as climate change.
Finding out more about the impacts of global warming
Today, we have a strong understanding about the potentially devastating effects of global warming. We are using this knowledge to gain a better insight into what we can expect in the future.
This work will help parliamentarians, big business and all Australians make informed choices about actions and government policies that will avoid adverse effects on our natural environment. By bringing together the Australian Climate Group we identified how climate change is affecting Australia today, and what can be done to reduce the risks to Australia.
WWF is undertaking and commissioning important new scientific research about the climate changes occurring today as a direct result of a warming world. This research has revealed how global warming is making Australia’s drought conditions more severe (PDF 819.26 KB) and how ongoing climate change will impact on Australia’s animals, plants, rivers and parks.
Targeting the primary causes of global warming
We are working to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from its biggest source both here and around the world – power stations.
We are talking to power companies about the steps they can take to reduce pollution, and are recruiting pioneer companies who are taking a crucial leadership role in addressing this issue.
In 2004, we completed a second audit of Australia’s major electricity generators. This information is now accessible to home and business energy customers and we are encouraging generators to diversify their portfolios to include renewable energy and gas alternatives.
Our audits – along with energy expert Dr Mark Disendorf’s report, Australia’s Polluting Power (PDF 1.6 MB) – has helped inform our climate change team’s contributions to policy discussions at all levels of government.
Promoting clean energy
We actively promote the alternatives to building more coal power stations around Australia, as each new station will undo good policy steps on renewable energy and saving energy. Research clearly demonstrates there are cleaner ways to satisfy new energy needs, such as the sun, water, wind and biomass.