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We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the sovereign Traditional Owners of Australia and thank them for their stewardship of this Country, its lands, waters and skies. We respectfully acknowledge their culture and customary practices, and pay respect to their Ancestors, Elders and future leaders.

For the first time, the State of the Environment report includes a strong Indigenous narrative across all 12 thematic chapters, a narrative crafted through recognising the leadership, collaboration and authorship of Indigenous Australians who continue their connection as Traditional Owners to their lands, waters and skies.

Click to view the State of the Environment report

Due to technical issues, graphs, maps and tables are currently not displaying within the main content, however, are available via the chapter resources navigation bar. We are working on a solution to resolve the issue.

Extreme events

Written by Dr Daniel J Metcalfe and Oliver Costello

Ngalli-ngaa bilaan buuwiiaan, gwang, buubaan, jan-gany webrrd muunaa gali maadj butherun 

We learn from wind, rain, flood, lightning, hail, or fire – they teach us stories

Ngalii ngaa garima lee la jaguun, jaguun garima mebeerrd 

We care for Country, as Country cares for us

Bundjalung Nation
Australia experiences a wide range of climate and weather events, from cyclones to hailstorms to heatwaves. The consequences of such events range from bushfires to floods. Extreme climate events, such as severe flooding, are uncommon, but their effects can be huge and potentially long-lasting, if not irreversible. Record-breaking weather events are becoming more common, with wide-ranging effects. 
Extreme events artwork by Shane Pickett
Key Findings
Find out the main messages of the report. Each chapter has 10 key points that summarise the findings of the chapter.
Start with Key findings
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Outlook and impacts
Where are we headed? Understand the outlook of extreme events and their impacts, based on current experiences and the effects of climate change. Also find out how we are adapting to changes, and how recent changes will affect our health and our wellbeing.
Start with Outlook and impacts
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Environment
How are various extreme events affecting Australia? Explore cyclones, storms, floods, heatwaves and bushfires.
Start with Environment
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Pressures
What are the pressures on extreme events? Find out how climate change is affecting extreme events, and how population and industry pressures can compound the effects of extreme events.
Start with Pressures
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Management
How effective is our management of extreme events? Discover the main management interventions and actions, and how well they protect our environment and minimise the impact of events.
Start with Management
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Chapter resources
Find out about the chapter authors and their analysis approach, the artwork appearing in the chapter, and the available supplementary material.
Explore Authors and acknowledgments
Explore Assessments
Explore Graphs, maps and tables
Explore Case studies
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Explore findings from Extreme events
The frequency and intensity of extreme events are changing
Extreme events affect the natural environment and compound the impact of other pressures
Extreme events affect our communities and wellbeing
Management and adaptation – along with significant investment and better coordination – will lead to increased resilience
Infographic showing that climate change means we can expect extreme weather events like fires, floods and big storms, to be more common and larger, and therefore more damaging and more expensive in lives and recovery costs. Traditional knowledge of Country can help find strategies for adapting to change.