10 facts about land clearing in Australia

Dear ,

I want to thank you for your signing the petition to help stop land clearing in Australia.

It’s no secret that land clearing in Australia is a major cause of greenhouse gas emissions and loss of biodiversity. However, a closer look at this statement reveals some gut-wrenching facts about the extent of destruction across the country.

Here are a few facts about land clearing in Australia that will tell you why we need stronger laws, more awareness and on-the-ground action to stop further destruction of our forests and woodlands.

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1. Around 5,000 square kilometres, of virgin bushland and advanced regrowth are cleared annually. In addition to destroying native wildlife, it is the major cause of salinity and causes around 14% of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.^[1]
2. Australia has lost 25% rainforest, 45% of open forest, 32% woodland forest and 30% of mallee forest in 200 years.^[2]
3. The effect of these changes has been considerable. Around 20% of Australian mammals, 7% of reptiles, 13% of birds are listed as Extinct, Endangered or Vulnerable.^[3]
4. More than 100 species have gone extinct in NSW in the last 200 years.^[4]
5. Australia has one of the highest rates of tree clearing of any developed country historically.^[5]

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, I know that you care about Australia’s precious wildlife and nature. These facts strongly reconfirm that we must gear up to stop this madness.

We’re determined to bring the bulldozers under control and with you by your side – we will.

Yours for nature,

Lyndon Schneiders
National Director

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Reference

¹ The Wilderness Society blog
² Forest Network
³ Commonwealth (1998a); The Wilderness Society blog
⁴ Department of Environment, NSW
⁵ Forest Fact Sheet (PDF)

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