Worsening climate change melts winter heat records

PRESS RELEASE

AUSTRALIA has experienced its hottest winter on record (for mean maximum temperatures), as a result of intensifying climate change.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) today released its seasonal update confirming Australia has seen the hottest (mean maximum temperatures) and one of the driest winters on record, with temperatures reaching almost 2 degrees Celsius above average.

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said the hottest winter in history was very concerning, given 2017’s string of broken climate records including the hottest July  (mean maximum temperatures).

The BOM update revealed more than 190 records were broken for the lowest amount of rainfall in June, while 72 highest daily maximum temperature records were smashed during July across the nation, 35 in New South Wales alone.

While Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory all experienced their highest mean maximum temperatures on record this winter.

“As Australia’s pollution levels continue to reach new heights, we continue to see new heat and low rainfall records smashed time and time again, all as a result of worsening climate change,” she said.

“Month after month, we continue to see hundreds of climate records broken as a result of the burning of polluting fossil fuels. The solution is clear, moving to clean energy sources like solar and wind. Fortunately renewable power is now the cheapest form of new power too.”

McKenzie said the latest figures should serve as yet another wake up call for the Federal Government to act, as it continues to ignore calls to roll out serious climate and energy policy to tackle intensifying climate change.

“There’s powerful action to transition from fossil fuels underway in each Australian state and territory. While local governments across the nation are embracing clean energy futures through the Cities Power Partnership,” she said.

For more information please contact Media Advisor Alexia Boland on 0430 511 068.