Australia’s environment in 2025 saw above-average conditions, but the impact of climate change on ecosystems and wildlife is accelerating, as per a recent report. The report, led by The Australian National University (ANU) in collaboration with Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), revealed that the number of threatened species under federal law has increased by 54% since 2000, reaching 2,175 species, with 39 new listings in 2025.
Sea surface temperatures around Australia hit a record high in 2025, marking the highest-ever levels recorded. Moreover, heat stress affected 79% of satellite-monitored reef locations, surpassing the once-in-a-decade threshold, leading to the sixth mass bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef. Additionally, a warm water algal bloom impacted a significant portion of South Australia’s coast, causing marine life casualties and affecting coastal communities for an extended period.
ANU Professor Albert Van Dijk, the lead author of the report, emphasized the toll on marine ecosystems and wildlife due to a warming climate. He likened extreme marine heatwaves to the Black Summer bushfires, highlighting the increased frequency of large-scale climate-driven mass mortality events. The Threatened Species Index by TERN revealed a concerning decline in threatened species populations since 2000, with reptiles and frogs experiencing significant decreases of 88% and 67%, respectively.
