Climate change
Climate change is impacting the water network in our region. Water scarcity and changes in rainfall patterns associated with climate change pose a major challenge for our water supply.
What we know
- Our region has warmed by about 1.1°C since 1910 – with the rate of that warming higher since 1960.
- The South West has experienced a marked drying trend– experiencing a drop of up to 20 per cent in winter rainfall since 1970.
- The decline in rainfall in the South West has been larger than anywhere else in Australia.
- Average rainfall is projected to continue to decrease in south-western Australia. By 2030, winter rainfall is projected to decrease by up to 15 per cent. By 2090, rainfall is projected to decrease by between 25 and 45 per cent.
- Rainfall variability and extreme rain events are projected to become more intense, leading to more very wet and very dry years.
- Extreme temperatures in all regions are highly likely to increase (by up to 4°C) and the number of hot days over 40°C is also expected to increase.
- Drought in our region is expected to increase.
- Drier and hotter conditions will lead to decreases in soil moisture and runoff.
- Sea levels will continue to rise.
- With a significant part of the population living in coastal cities and towns, rising sea levels pose significant risks. Busselton is at significant risk of inundation and sea levels rise.^
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 13 aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact and challenges us to integrate climate change measures into our business, policies, education and awareness-raising efforts.
As individuals and as a community, we must continue to take steps to protect and preserve our water for future generations.
Learn more about how we are planning our water future.
^ Department of Climate Change, 2009