Climate Experience:
The number of bogong moths found in caves across the Australian Alps has decreased by the millions.
Explanation:
- The decline in numbers is due to a lack in rainfall; the region needs enough rain for vegetation to grow sufficiently to feed the caterpillars.[1]
- The region has seen some of the biggest rainfall reductions across the country.[2]
- In 16 out of the last 18 years winter rainfall in south eastern Australia has been below average.[3]
Ramifications:
- Current projections estimate the region will see a further 20% decline in rainfall by 2100.[4]
- Disappearance of the bogong moth will impact other wildlife, particularly the critically endangered pygmy possum that relies on them for food.[5]
- Victoria has the highest number of threatened species of all states/territories in Australia.[6]
What can be done?
- Email your local MP and tell them that action on climate is important to you and explain the impacts being felt in your area. One email might not feel like much but most politicians consider it to be representative of 100 citizens.
- Help support the Act on Climate collective by donating; we are leading the charge for climate action. Your donation helps in advancing policies that prevent climate change from getting worse, we aim to empower communities and build a strong pro-climate-action constituency that governments can’t ignore, and as an added bonus it’s tax-deductable.
- Get involved with Act on Climate. We meet every Monday at 6pm (upstairs at 312 Smith St, Collingwood) and welcome all newcomers to join in the fight for climate justice. If you are unable to attend, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with the latest campaign.
* We aim to keep our material as accurate and as relevant as possible. Working with climate science, a field that is being constantly updated, keeps us on our toes. Information on this site was gathered on June 1 2019; if you notice information that needs updating please let us know. For the full reference list please see the following.
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[2]CSIRO, “State of the Climate.”6.
[4]Peter Jacobs & Gillian Anderson, “Australian Alps Climate Futures,” (Canberra: Australian National University, 2016).3.
[5]Graham Readfearn, “Decline in bogong moth numbers leaves mountain pygmy possums starving,” The Guardian, published February 25, 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/25/decline-in-bogong-moth-numbers-leaves-pygmy-mountain-possums-starving
[6]Comissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria, “Interim Victorian State of the Environment Report 2018,” (Melbourne: Victoria State Government, 2018).21.