Climate ChangeFrom Historical Dictionary of Australia
Australia, as a dry continent with a heavy concentration of its population in coastal communities, is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Australian average temperatures are projected to rise by 1.0°C to 5.0°C by 2070 when compared with the climate of recent decades. Significant environmental and economic impacts from climate change are predicted across a number of sectors, including water security, agriculture, coastal communities, and infrastructure. Climate change has become a major political issue in Australia, with no bipartisan consensus on how it should be addressed.