Climate change - in summary

Component Summary Assessment grade Confidence
Very poor Poor Good Very good In grade In trend
  • Recent Trend
    • Trend improving Symbol Improving
    • Trend stable Symbol Stable
    • Trend deteriorating Symbol Deteriorating
    • Trend unclear Image Unclear
  • Level of confidence
    • Confidence low Evidence and consensus too low to make an assessment
    • Confidence limited Limited evidence or limited consensus
    • Confidence high Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus
  • Grades
    • Grade Very Poor Very Poor
    • Grade Poor Poor
    • Grade Good Good
    • Grade Very Good Very Good

State greenhouse gas emissions

Per capita emissions and emissions per unit of gross state product have decreased.

Per capita emissions are still one of the highest in the world.

Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases are increasing.

State sources of greenhouse gases are increasing.

 South Australia’s state greenhouse gas emissions receive an assessment of poor but stable. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus

Rainfall

The reporting period includes the third and fifth wettest years on record.

The long-term trend is for a decline in rainfall.

 South Australia’s rainfall receives an assessment of poor and deteriorating. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus

Temperature

The reporting period includes the warmest year on record.

The long-term trend is for increases in average (air and sea surface) and extreme temperatures.

 South Australia’s temperature receives an assessment of very poor and deteriorating. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus

Energy

Energy production is still the dominant source of state emissions (74%).

Renewable energy has increased as a proportion of total installed capacity and of the proportion supplied and used.

 South Australia’s energy receives an assessment of poor but stable. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus

Sea level

The global trend is for a rise in sea level, with variances based on local geomorphology, wind direction/strength, etc.

 South Australia’s sea level receives an assessment of poor and deteriorating. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus

Oceans

Sea temperature and acidity are increasing; salinity is changing.

 South Australia’s oceans receive an assessment of poor and deteriorating. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus

Marine and terrestrial biodiversity

Trends in biodiversity are negative to variable, with changes in gene pools, species ranges, biological patterns and ecosystem dynamics.

 South Australia’s marine and terrestrial biodiversity receives an assessment of poor and deteriorating. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus

Human health, infrastructure, agriculture and forestry

Reduced rainfall will affect water supplies and agriculture.

Climate variability has increased, leading to increased frequency and severity of some extreme weather events such as heatwaves.

The increased frequency of extreme events will impact police, emergency services, infrastructure maintenance, volunteers, etc.

 South Australia’s human health, infrastructure, agriculture and forestry receives an assessment of poor and deteriorating. Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus

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