Queensland sweltered through another day of 30+ heat.

The prolonged spells of heat are already impacting on threatened native species.

And we could be making the problem worse.

Rosie Jumelet reports.

TRANSCRIPT

When the temperature heats up, the appeal of switching on the air conditioning is obvious.

But this increased energy usage could be the very thing causing the extreme temperatures.

Prof Peter Grace, QUT Global Change Expert: “People will be using air conditioning more because they will want to abate the high temperatures, more green house gases will be produced, so we’re in a bit of a tight sort of circle here in terms of cause and effect.”

He says scientific studies have proved a direct link between climate change and major enviornmental disasters.

Prof Peter Grace, QUT Global Change Expert: “The main impact on human life will be increased temperatures and extremes of temperatures, and we’ve seen these extreme weather events globally.”

But we’re not the only species at risk.

Our Koalas also could face a massive population decline.

Researchers have found, the rise in Australia’s temperatures have sent the furry marsupials seeking cooler homes.

They’re being found in the shadier pine, casuarina and kurrajong trees. The problem is, these leaves are the wrong kind of Koala food.

Kenneth Beagley, Professor of Immunology: “Well certainly in times of drought the Koalas become dehydrated and also the nutritional value of the trees that they normally feed on, so what they browse on, is greatly reduced.”

So this summer do the environment a favour. Switch off the air conditioning at home and beat the heat a cooler way.

Rosie Jumelet, QUT News.