A bushfire burning.

Australia is likely to become warmer, with uncertain rainfall changes in the north, and less rainfall and more droughts in the south.

Climate change will continue worldwide

Greenhouse gas emissions at or above present rates will cause further warming and induce many changes in the global climate system during the 21st century. It is very likely that these changes will be larger than those already seen in the past century.

  • 7 December 2009 | Updated 14 October 2011
  1. Introduction
  2. Some ongoing climate change is now unavoidable
  3. Future climate change depends on global greenhouse gas emissions

Introduction

Page 1 of 3

Australia is likely to become warmer, with uncertain rainfall changes in the north, and less rainfall and more droughts in the south.

Heat waves and heavy rain events are likely to become more frequent worldwide, with less snow, more fires, more heavy rainfall events and more intense cyclones.

Sea-ice and snow cover are projected to shrink.

Rainfall is very likely to increase in high latitudes and likely to decrease in most sub-tropical and temperate land areas.

The area affected by droughts is likely to increase and tropical cyclones are likely to become more intense.