Climate change will have an impact on all aspects of life in South Australia. However, impacts that are social and economic in nature, pertaining directly to the wellbeing of our own species, tend to receive priority[1]. Thousands of Australia's native animals, birds and plants are facing extinction with nearly 3,000 unique natural habitats disappearing, taking more than 1,500 species with them[2]. Failure to acknowledge the value of our natural systems has left us with a legacy of environmental problems that will ultimately have a significant impact on our social and economic health.
It is not only our plants and animals that are at stake. Our way of life and livelihoods depend on healthy, functional ecosystems. We only have to look at the decline of the River Murray to see how much value an ecosystem adds to our economy. While we have learned a great deal from past mistakes, and are trying to change our ways, new challenges have presented themselves. Our climate is changing at an unprecedented rate and the fragmentation of habitats means species do not always have the ability to move to cooler climates.