Australia is one of 17 megadiverse countries, yet we are leading the world in mammal extinctions. More than 100 unique Australian species have been driven to extinction. Dozens more are on the edge of being wiped out forever.
Almost 2000 Australian species are listed as threatened nationally
of Australian mammals
of Australian birds
of Australian frogs
of Australian plants
The primary drivers of extinctions of Australian plants and animals since European colonisation (weighted according to the number of extinctions).
We need a new national approach
Four mega-threats are the major drivers of Australia’s extinction crisis: invasive species, climate change, adverse fire regimes and habitat destruction.
To protect the unique plants and animals that make Australia so distinctive, we need to fix the national threat abatement system – the laws, polices and programs intended to systematically identify and overcome the major threats to nature.
First, we must convince our leaders that threat abatement is essential, feasible and beneficial. Although daunting, Australians have shown we can overcome major threats. The environmental, economic and social benefits will be immense.
