Australia had a run of extreme events during the January–February summer. The country saw long heatwaves, storms, floods and large bushfires that began in late December 2024 and continued into mid-January.
Fires damaged national parks and visitor facilities, and there were worries for threatened animals and rare plants. Coral bleaching also grew worse in 2024. Northern Australia experienced severe wet-season floods, and the monsoon reached Darwin late in early February 2025. A powerful cyclone hit northwestern areas, and many people faced damage, moves and higher home insurance costs.
Difficult words
- heatwave — A period of very hot weatherheatwaves
- bushfire — A large fire in wild open countrybushfires
- bleaching — When coral loses its colour and becomes pale
- cyclone — A very strong tropical storm with winds
- flood — Large amounts of water covering landfloods
- threatened — At risk of disappearing or dying out
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever experienced a heatwave or strong storm? What happened?
- What would you do if a flood came to your area?
- How would damage and higher home insurance costs affect people in a community?
Related articles
Power crisis in the Dominican Republic despite rising renewables
The Dominican Republic increased renewable energy to 25% but grid problems and a brief shutdown at Punta Catalina 2 caused a supply crisis. The president declared an emergency and signed a decree to speed up procurement.
Guanacaste: water, tourism and development
Guanacaste is Costa Rica's driest province and attracts tourists and foreign buyers. Rapid coastal development has increased water shortages, pollution and local protests, while officials and studies warn aquifers and ageing water systems are under pressure.
Low pesticide exposure speeds aging in fish
Researchers found that long-term exposure to low levels of a common agricultural insecticide caused faster physiological aging and shorter lifespans in wild and laboratory fish. The study links telomere shortening and lipofuscin buildup to chlorpyrifos exposure.
