Thursday 26 October 2023
More threatened species listed past 2yrs than previous 10yrs
New research reveals Australia has listed more threatened species in the past two years than the previous ten, uncovering the true impact of the Black Summer Bushfires ahead of a return of similar conditions in 2023-24.
According to exclusive findings from Conservation Volunteers Australia, powered by Provocate®, there was a net increase of about 150 threatened species nationally in the two years since the landmark 2021 State of the Environment Report, compared to about 130 between the SOE 2011 and 2021 editions (released every five years).
Conservation Volunteers Australia CEO Phil Harrison said it was not surprising, given SOE 2021 reported the Black Summer Bushfires killed as many as one billion native animals – and burnt 10.3 million hectares of native bushland.
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek recently linked “almost all” recent threatened species to the fires.
However, Mr Harrison questioned whether governments were adequately prepared to prevent a repeat in 2023-24, which faced a “triple threat” of disaster, housing and climate challenges, starting with an early return of bushfire season.
A practical example is the Federal Government’s decision to quietly axe the nation’s natural disaster volunteer portal – a ‘mud army’ for the recovery and resilience of native wildlife and their habitats, and a key tool for both preparedness and response to what will be a challenging summer.
“Last month Australia quietly passed 2000+ total threatened species for the first time in our history,” he said.
“The future of Australia’s threatened species continues to get worse, not better. This is backed by our finding the share of species now listed as critically endangered – the last step before extinction – has doubled the past decade.
Mr Harrison said about half of threatened species also lived in urban areas, alongside 96% of the population.
“As our need for more urban homes grows, so do theirs. As little as 1 metre x 1 metre (1m2) in an unused corner of backyard or balcony could help fill critical missing links in urban wildlife habitat immediately.
“Particularly with smaller “building block” species like birds, bees, butterflies and other insects driving the rapid rise in threatened species in recent years.
“One-by-one we can all make a difference in our own backyards – and the world around us.”
Mr Harrison said Australians could start planning their own nature block today by heading to mynatureblock.org.au and downloading the app. For other ideas or ways to get involved in nature repair and resilience, visit the general Conservation Volunteers Australia website conservationvolunteers.org.au.
· The Commonwealth Threatened Species List has grown from 1918 to 2064 in the two years since 2021 State of the Environment Report (as at October 2023) - a net increase of about 146 (+8%) species overall.
· This is compared to 1786 threatened species listings at the time of the 2011 SOE Report. That’s a net increase of about 130 (+7%) between the 2011 and 2021 SOE Reports (released 5 yearly), meaning Australia has listed more threatened species in the past two years than the previous 10.
· Australia passed a record 600+ animals and 2000+ species listed as threatened or extinct in September 2023.
· The proportion of living threatened animal species listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ increased from 9% (SOE 2011) to 20.0% (YTD 2023). Plant and total species followed a similar trend.
-ENDS-
Key Facts:
· The Commonwealth Threatened Species List has grown from 1918 to 2064 in the two years since 2021 State of the Environment Report (as at October 2023) - a net increase of about 146 (+8%) species overall.
· This is compared to 1786 threatened species listings at the time of the 2011 SOE Report. That’s a net increase of about 130 (+7%) between the 2011 and 2021 SOE Reports (released 5 yearly), meaning Australia has listed more threatened species in the past two years than the previous 10.
· Australia passed a record 600+ animals and 2000+ species listed as threatened or extinct in September 2023.
· The proportion of living threatened animal species listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ increased from 9% (SOE 2011) to 20.0% (YTD 2023). Plant and total species followed a similar trend.
About us:
COMPANY BIO: Conservation Volunteers Australia has been the nation’s leading nature volunteer representative organisation for everyday Australians the past 40 years. CVA’s core purpose is to reconnect Australians with nature through meaningful volunteering in urban and regional centres across the country, while making real contributions to national conservation efforts, enhancing the physical and mental well-being of communities, and promoting practical connections to our unique natural heritage.
CEO HEADSHOT: Phil Harrison, CEO, Conservation Volunteers Australia https://tinyurl.com/yuh55ysy -
COMPANY BIO: Provocate® has rapidly established itself as one of Asia-Pacific’s top public affairs analytics firms – and most-awarded in its origin country of Australia. This includes being ranking in the Top 25 Innovators in APAC for communications two years in a row in 2022 and 2023, as well as ANZ’s top public relations – and thought leadership - campaigns for 2023. These achievements are reflective of Provocate®’s dedication to insight-informed impact via our exclusive Electionomics™ suite of services supporting global, large and listed organisations operating in highly-regulated markets to mutually benefit the company, as well as the communities and countries they operate in.
Contact details:
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phil Harrison, CEO, Conservation Volunteers Australia, 0404 828 901 media@cva.org.au
Troy Bilsborough, Provocate®, 0427 063 150 or troy.bilsborough@provocate.com.au
