From Crisis to Comeback: Australia’s Opportunity to Lead a Global Biodiversity Revival

Australia’s Presence on Global Extinction Lists Is Alarming. Can We Rewrite the Story and Become a Leader in Biodiversity Restoration?

Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash

Australia has long been on the list of the world’s 17 mega-diverse countries. What an awesome list to be on! Together these countries make up more than 70% of the world’s biodiversity. 

While no one knows the exact number, estimates suggest Australia is home to 600,000 to 700,000 species—nearly 10% of all species on Earth. We’ve only named about 200,000 so far, leaving the majority still uncharted. Our unique ecosystems and isolation have fostered this incredible diversity, with over 80% of our mammals alone being endemic – found nowhere else on Earth! How amazing is that? 

Photo by Beniah on Unsplash

This rich variety of unique plants and animals is the secret behind Australia’s breathtaking beauty—from our vibrant flowering and non-flowering plants and trees to our awe-inspiring coastlines, rivers, and wetlands, majestic mountain ranges, alpine slopes, and desert landscapes, as well as vast shrubland and woodland fields. It’s the stuff of postcards and dream destinations worldwide.

It’s a big responsibility though. Losing diversity in any of these megadiverse countries in particular has significant impacts on the entire planet. 

This mega-diversity has also fueled our success in producing and exporting food, timber, gas, and energy. However, these achievements have driven an unsustainable economic machine, pushing Australia to the top of many other global lists, ones we don’t want to be on. Since colonisation, we’ve cleared 40% of our forests, leaving the remaining ones in a precarious state. 

Take a look at some of the unimpressive global lists we now feature on; 

1st Place: Mammal extinctions worldwide

2nd Place: Countries responsible for 60% of global biodiversity loss

4th Place: All fauna extinctions 

9th Place: Plant extinctions

9th Place: Number of threatened species

Top 24: Deforestation fronts (the only developed nation on this list)

50th of 67: Climate Change Performance Index 2024

We’re certainly making headlines with these lists, but for all the wrong reasons.

When writing last month’s blog, I was excited to share some environmental wins so I went digging for success stories in species recovery. But the more I dug, the filthier it got, and the angrier I became. Sadly, this month was no different. 

Many of the articles I’ve linked are government publications, proving they’re aware. They know there’s a problem, and they know what needs to be done. They spend millions annually on research (though the budget is far from sufficient), creating policies, reviews, meetings, and drafting laws to protect forests from logging. Yet, it’s still failing. There’s little monitoring or enforcement, with minor fines for illegal logging that barely impact the offenders’ revenue. Meanwhile, unsustainable corporations are supported, and exemptions and loopholes overlooked.

Who is being held accountable for the degradation of everything we’ve always been proud of? Our thriving biodiversity hotspot, home to hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species, is dying before our eyes.

More and more, the responsibility for protecting biodiversity falls on our shoulders —ordinary people, volunteers, and conservation organisations like WWF, ACF, and the Victorian Forest Alliance. 

Not on the policymakers and enforcers who let this happen and should be leading the way out of this disaster. 

Identifying threatened species, monitoring protected areas, reporting illegal logging, and making endless sustainable choices, is put to the regular nature lover or consumer. 

It’s a tough ask for us to keep doing better. Aussies, like most of the world, are stressed about finances and health and focusing on doing our best to get by each day. The environment doesn’t feature in these lists of major stressors. The twist though is while we’re busy prioritising health and finances, and governments do the bare minimum for our planet, the environment deteriorates, and our health and finances suffer. Increased extreme weather events, reduced rainfall, droughts, heatwaves, and more frequent fires and floods affect us all by worsening air and water quality and driving up costs as food production and natural resources become scarcer. So yes, we can be doing better as individuals, but it could also be made a little easier for us to do this.

The simple summary of Australia’s biodiversity crisis, while our government spruik Biodiversity month.

Australia’s biodiversity is in trouble: This has been a longstanding issue.

What reduces biodiversity?: Declining numbers and varieties of animals, plants, fungi, invertebrates, and microorganisms in an ecosystem, i.e. the loss of variety of living things. 

What exacerbates the loss of living things in an ecosystem?: Habitat loss is a major factor, but other human-induced threats are also significant.

What is the leading cause of habitat loss?: Land clearing for agricultural grazing, followed by forestry (legally or illegally), mining, and commercial and residential development. Ironically, livestock farming, which is struggling due to climate change, contributes to climate change, creating a vicious cycle.

What happens when we lose biodiversity?: Ecosystems collapse, leading to climate disasters.

This won’t slow down or go away if everyone, governments and corporations included, continues going about their lives without paying attention, or spending years and millions of dollars in meeting rooms deciding if it’s a problem or not. Sooner or later we’ll be forced to pay attention, and by then it will be too late to stop. 

Halting our biodiversity loss; Small actions within our reach

Transforming our mindset is key. By making conservation and nature preservation a part of our daily lives, we can turn positive actions into our new normal. Here are some simple steps we can all take to contribute.

• • Adopt Sustainable Diets: Prioritise plant-based, locally sourced, and seasonal produce.
  • Collaborate with Indigenous Groups: Support their land rights and learn from their knowledge.
  • Stay Informed: Sign up for conservation newsletters and join local groups.
  • Use Social Media: Raise awareness and mobilise support by sharing information and calling out harmful practices on social platforms.
  • Foster connections with nature: Incorporate wildlife education into your classroom or home.
  • Conserve Water: Use water-saving methods and drought-resistant plants.
  • Plant Native Species: Grow native plants to support local wildlife.
  • Support Conservation: Donate or volunteer with organisations protecting endangered species.
  • Participate in Citizen Science: Help track species through local programs or apps.
  • Be a Responsible Pet Owner: Keep pets indoors or on leashes to protect wildlife.

But don’t forget, it’s not all on our shoulders! 

The people in power need to step up, and we need to get noisy about it. 

• • Sign Petitions: Demand that Coles and Woolworths cease supporting agriculture linked to deforestation, which affects over 100 million animals annually in NSW and Queensland alone.
  • Use Your Purchasing Power: Choose products and services from companies with strong environmental practices and avoid those contributing to deforestation and habitat destruction.
  • Support Environmental Advocacy Groups: Back organisations that promote stronger environmental protections and corporate accountability.
  • Report Environmental Violations: Alert authorities or watchdog organisations about illegal or harmful activities by businesses or individuals.
  • Vote Environmentally: Make your environmental priorities a key factor in your voting decisions.
  • Advocate for Policy Change: Support and lobby for policies that protect the environment and enforce stricter regulations on land use and resource extraction.
  • Engage in Public Campaigns: Participate in or organise campaigns and petitions to influence government and corporate practices.
  • Contact Representatives: Reach out to local and national officials to express concerns and demand action.

The power of our collective actions

Even though these issues seem huge, there’s a lot of hope out there! Every little thing we do adds up to make a big difference. By standing up for a greener future, we can join forces to protect and restore the incredible biodiversity that defines our planet.

So let’s dive in with enthusiasm and positivity, knowing that our combined efforts can brighten the future for everyone!

Lerderderg River. Photo by Cat Mallia 2021