IF you think you have been sweating more as climate change progresses, you may be right.

The last seven years have been the hottest ever recorded, according to data from the European Union’s (EU) satellite system.

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Climate science warns that as the planet warms, we are more likely to see increasingly frequent and intense heat waves, bushfires, droughts and other extreme weather related disasters, with devastating impacts on human health, ecosystems, biodiversity and the economy.

It’s not just species like koalas that are impacted by the rising temperatures.

Doctors for the Environment Chair, Dr John Van Der Kallen, said, “Doctors are seeing the effects of heat on their patients in their surgeries and emergency departments.

“Higher temperatures result in deaths, and a variety of illnesses – including worsening heart conditions, mental health conditions, and pregnancy complications.

“Further rises in temperature will have devastating consequences for the health of our families and communities.

“Despite the necessary focus on addressing covid-19, we cannot wait for the pandemic to pass to take action on climate change which is fuelling these temperatures.”

He believes the Federal Government must turn its attention to rapidly reducing emissions to address climate change as a matter of urgency.

Dr Dean Miller, MD, Great Barrier Reef Legacy, said, “Climate change is driving hotter temperatures, as the reporting from the EU satellite system released today shows.

“This leads to higher marine temperatures and more frequent and intense marine heatwaves.

“These have potentially devastating impacts on aquaculture, fisheries, tourism and marine ecosystems – including repeated coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.

“It is looking likely that we may experience a bleaching event this year.

“Without immediate action to tackle climate change – including deep cuts in carbon emissions this critical decade – our marine industries and vital ecosystems are at ever increasing risk.”

Dean is the lead scientist on the Living Coral Biobank project that aims to collect and preserve the full living coral biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef.

Port Stephens is home to the southernmost coral reef in Australia at Fly Point.

Nic Seton, CEO of Parents for Climate Action said, “Another climate record broken and another reminder that our families are being put at risk by government inaction.

“Parents are right to be worried.

“Any child under seven years old is facing a dangerous trend because governments have failed to uphold their duty of care to protect our children.”

By Marian SAMPSON