Our window of opportunity to act on climate change is closing


Without greater leadership from Australia and a strong commitment to significantly reduce our carbon pollution, we face losing many of our most cherished, special places to climate change.

Here are 10 reasons we call Australia home. Which of these places is most special to you? Show your support and send a postcard now.

Australian Alps

Annual trips to the snow - from Mt Buller to Perisher Valley to Mt Field - are a way of life for many Australians. Our Alps play a critical role in supplying water to rivers and providing habitat for many species. Climate change has already contributed to the decline in snow over recent decades, and if we don’t address climate change, CSIRO predicts our snow seasons will be almost gone by 2050. With strong action to reduce our carbon pollution, we can protect our alpine areas.

Send a postcard from the Australian Alps now

Courtesy Richard I'Anson/Lonely Planet Images

Kakadu wetlands

The World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park is the centre of amazing biodiversity and millennia-old cultural heritage, both of which rely on its extensive fresh water wetlands. If we don’t tackle climate change, rising sea levels will force large amounts of salt water into these wetlands with devastating impacts on the natural system - including magpie geese, jabirus and many other species - as well as on the lives of the Traditional Owners. With strong action to reduce carbon pollution, we can protect our Kakadu wetlands.

Send a postcard from Kakadu now

Courtesy Richard I'Anson/Lonely Planet Images

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world and one of Australia’s most precious natural icons. Sadly it’s one of the first natural wonders to be severely impacted by climate change. Our Reef and its unique marine life won’t cope with rising temperatures, coral bleaching and ocean acidification. Scientists say our coral reefs could crumble and disappear by mid-century. Only with strong and immediate action to reduce our climate pollution will our Reef still have a chance.

Send a postcard from the Great Barrier Reef now

Courtesy Richard I'Anson/Lonely Planet Images

The Aussie bush

The Aussie bush plays a big role in our lives and cultural identity, and Traditional Owners have conserved and managed our bush over millennia. From the Flinders Ranges to the Blue Mountains, our bushland attracts millions of visitors every year. Over a quarter of a million Australians also volunteer to fight bushfires. Bushfires can devastate lives, homes and the environment. Without action to reduce our carbon pollution, bushfire seasons will be longer and more intense with up to 300% more extreme fire weather days by later this century.

Send a postcard from the bush now

Courtesy Richard I'Anson/Lonely Planet Images

The Murray-Darling Basin

Australians depend on the Murray-Darling river system. Part of our Australian identity, these rivers are crucial for agriculture, unique ecosystems, drinking water and traditional cultures. However the system is already suffering from years of neglect and overuse. If we don’t tackle climate change, dwindling water supplies will further threaten the survival of ecosystems and irrigated agriculture production will decline by over 90% by the end of the century. With better management and strong action to reduce carbon pollution, we can save our inland river system.

Send a postcard from the Murray-Darling Basin now

Courtesy Richard I'Anson/Lonely Planet Images

Our Beaches

Most Australians love a day at the beach. However if the Greenland ice sheet melts, it will eventually lead to a sea level rise around seven metres, and our favourite beaches in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and across Australia will bear little resemblance to those we know today. Scientists warn that if we don’t tackle climate change, the chances of this occurring are almost certain. With strong action on climate change we can protect our beaches for future generations of Australians.

Send a postcard from the beach now

Courtesy Richard I'Anson/Lonely Planet Images

Our Wine Regions

From Shiraz to Chardonnay, Australia produces world class wines enjoyed at dinner tables across the country and the globe. Our famous growing regions include Margaret River, the Hunter Valley and the Barossa Valley. Climate change is leading to hotter and drier conditions, threatening the quality and size of our wine industry. Suitable grape growing areas are predicted to fall by 44% by mid-century, however with strong action to reduce carbon pollution, we can protect our wine regions and award-winning wine industry.

Send a postcard from our wine country now

Courtesy Richard I'Anson/Lonely Planet Images

The Wet Tropics

The tropical rainforests of the Wet Tropics and Daintree National Park in Queensland are home to over 85 animals and 700 plants found nowhere else on Earth – such as the golden bowerbird and the waterfall frog. If the average temperature rise in the Wet Tropics reaches 2°C, every one of the birds, frogs and vertebrates unique to this area will be driven to extinction. With strong action to reduce carbon pollution, we have the chance to save these unique Australian species.

Send a postcard from the Wet Tropics now

Courtesy Richard I'Anson/Lonely Planet Images

South West WA

Going ‘down south’ is a tradition for Perth people and for good reason: tall Karri forests, amazing wildflowers, world-class wineries… South-West WA is one of 34 internationally recognised ‘biodiversity hotspots’. However the region is already drying out and without strong action on climate change, many species including the numbat face extinction, rising ocean temperatures will impact on marine life and the Karri forests will be reduced to small pockets. If we can significantly reduce our carbon pollution we have the chance to protect our iconic South-West.

Send a postcard from the South West now

The Great Aussie Backyard

Australians love the backyard, and we spend as much time there as we can! If you live in one of our capital cities, chances are you’re already having a taste of water restrictions; gardens that can only be watered at certain times, sprinklers banned, pools that can’t be filled... Our climate is becoming hotter and drier with climate change, and without strong action to reduce our carbon pollution, we will endure tougher water restrictions, less rainfall and more extremely hot days over 35°C.

Send a postcard from the backyard now

Send a postcard to save Australia’s favourite places

To find out more about our icons at risk, download the full report here.

Australian Conservation Foundation