Australia’s changing oceans: building knowledge for actionable outcomes

Abstract

Australia’s oceans are vital to the nation’s economy, environment and way of life. Australia’s island geography, surrounded by the Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans, exposes it to significant ocean-driven environmental influences that shape the country’s climate. The oceans surrounding Australia drive extreme weather events and, together with climate-driven changes, present risks to Australia’s industries, environment and communities. As a marine nation, Australia depends on the oceans for trade, industry and recreation, making it essential to safeguard people, infrastructure and communities from ocean-related hazards. Rising atmospheric CO2 anthropogenic emissions are causing climate change, which is altering ocean temperature, salinity, carbon, currents and waves. Changes in the ocean environment have resulted in sea-level rise, intensified marine heatwaves, shifting species distributions, extreme weather and coastal inundation. These changes create unprecedented social, economic and environmental challenges for coastal communities and ecosystems. These ocean changes exacerbate threats to climate-sensitive agricultural and aquacultural industries, coastal infrastructure, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, marine protected areas and traditional cultural practices. Improved understanding of Australia’s oceans will strengthen knowledge of Australia’s vast marine estate and support robust decision-making, risk management and adaptation strategies through the development of actionable, evidence-based science.