Ten Climate Change Highs And Lows

2016 has been a year of climate change 'firsts' and 'worsts'. In Australia, the Great Barrier Reef has seen the worst coral bleaching event in history. On one blistering hot day in India temperatures soared to 51 degrees, making it the hottest day the country had ever seen. For the first time in 4 million years the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide in Antarctica reached more than 400 parts per million.

These terrifying milestones are examples of what we can continue to expect if we don't take big action on climate change. But we're optimistic. At 1 Million Women we are huge believers in the power of individuals to work as a collective and create change. As cliché as it sounds, there is always hope to turn things around and create a better world.

We've taken a look at five different climate records set this year, and five example of communities that are taking climate action in to their own hands.

Climate Record Reached: Every month this year has been the hottest on record

Every single month from the beginning of this year has been the hottest on record. Not just in Australia, but globally. In Australia, we saw the hottest Autumn ever, with temperatures almost 2 degrees above average.

Climate Action: The Catholic Church begins to divest from fossil fuels

A year ago Pope Francis called for action on climate change. Recently many in his church responded to his plea. Four Australian Catholic orders have announced they will divest completely from fossil fuels, and we can expect more divestment from other orders to follow suit.

Climate Record Reached: The first mammal became extinct due to climate change

The Bramble Cay melomy, a species of rodent that could only be found on an island in the Great Barrier Reef was pronounced extinct this year. The reason? Human-induced climate change. Australia is home to hundreds of endemic species that could face a similar fate if we don't act on climate change.

Image: Queensland Government

Climate Action: Schools in Oregon ban climate denying resources

The board of Portland Public Schools voted to not only remove textbooks that denied climate change from classrooms, but also committed to developing a curriculum that includes climate change and climate justice as key topics. The next generation need understand climate change to be equipped to find solutions for it, so this is a hugely positive move.

Climate Record Reached: The arctic has its hottest recorded winter in 2015 - 16

In 2012, Arctic sea ice shrank to a record low. This year, thanks to an unbelievably warm winter, Arctic sea ice is on track to beat the record set in 2012.

Image: Inhabitat

Climate Action: Tyaglum, NSW could be the first to go off-grid

This town is currently deciding on which path to a cleaner future it wants to take. Every house and business will either get its own solar power and battery storage system, or there will be a communal energy source hub constructed in the center of town.

Climate Record Reached: The first scientific evidence confirms islands are being lost to rising sea-levels

Pacific Islands have been sharing their heartbreaking stories about the impacts of climate change for years. Recently these anecdotal accounts were scientifically confirmed. Studies found that five reef islands in the Solomon Islands were lost to a rise in sea-levels, and six more were seriously eroded earlier this year.

Climate Action: Newstead, Victoria makes a groundbreaking agreement

Local community group 'Newstead 2021' created a first-of-its-kind agreement with energy power company Powercor to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2020. The group and company will work together to create the transition to clean energy.

Climate Record Reached: The Great Barrier Reef saw its worst bleaching event in history.

93% of the iconic World Heritage Site has been bleached in a mass-bleaching event caused by climate change earlier this year. If we don't address this problem soon, we could not only risk losing an ecosystem that supports 25% of the oceans marine life, but Australia could lose a significant amount of revenue generated by tourists.

Climate Action: Uralla is on track to become NSW's first 100% renewable energy town

Uralla has a two-part plan to transition to clean energy. The first involves strategies that anyone can adopt to reduce their emissions, such as including increased LED lighting and rooftop solar panels. The second part is all about larger-scale mechanisms designed to generate renewable energy.

While this year may have seen some of the worst impacts of climate change take place, it's also evidently been a year of mobilization from communities and individuals. However, to stop more devastating milestones being reached we need greater action from government and initiatives like the ones these communities are adopting rolled-out globally.

1 Million Women is calling for broad political agreement across party lines at the 2016 Australian election, and beyond, for urgent and sustained action on: Climate change, protection of the Great Barrier Reef, and a commitment to gender equality. Please sign our open letter to candidates here. Let your voice be heard.

1 Million Women is more than our name; it's our goal! We're building a movement of strong, inspirational women acting on climate change by leading low-carbon lives. To make sure that our message has an impact, we need more women adding their voice. We need to be louder. Joining us online means your voice and actions can be counted. We need you.