Nature Conservation Council Campaigns Director Daisy Barham, who led the forum, said climate change is not only one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, it is seriously threatening the survival of wildlife and ecosystems in NSW.

A new report by the Nature Conservation Council – Hot, Dry and Deadly: Impacts of Climate Change on Nature in NSW – draws together the latest research to highlight the harm global warming is doing to nature across the state. 

The report was launched in Bathurst on Wednesday at the Rahamim Ecology Centre at an event co-hosted by the Bathurst Climate Action Network.

Those attending heard how ecosystems and species in the Central West, Central Tablelands, and across the state will be affected.

They also learned how they can be part of the solution.

At the launch, the Nature Conservation Council invited people to join the #Repower campaign, a national movement of communities who want to accelerate the transition to renewable energy needed to protect the climate, nature, and farm productivity.

Ms Barham said the impact of climate change on Bathurst and the region would be very real.

“In Central West alone, temperatures are expected to increase from two to four-and-a-half degrees in the next 70 years.”

She said if nothing is done to reduce our contribution to climate change, the area will experience more heat waves like we experienced at the start of the year.

“Except they will be worse, and more frequent,” she said.

 She said the region will also face an increase in bush fires.

Ms Barham urged the community to act soon.

“We need to rapidly invest in renewable energy sources like wind and solar projects,” she said adding most people are shocked when they hear about the impact climate change will have on the future.

“We are already seeing the impact in the central west, it’s driest winter we’ve had in many years, and its only going to get worse.”

“Now is the time to act. We can’t leave this legacy for future generations.”