State of the environment: shocking report shows how Australia’s land and wildlife are being destroyed

The state of the environment report found that Australia’s list of threatened species would get longer after the impact of the Black Summer bushfires became clearer. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/Reuters

The health of Australia’s environment is poor and has deteriorated over the past five years due to pressures of climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and mining, according to a government report that warns the natural world holds the key to human wellbeing and survival.

The state of the environment report – a review completed by scientists last year but held back by the Morrison government until after the federal election – found abrupt changes in some Australian ecosystems over the past five years, with at least 19 now showing signs of collapse or near collapse.