Scientists from across the world in conjunction with scientific societies are calling upon Australian governments to take action over ongoing high rates of land forest and woodland destruction.

The Society for Conservation Biology Oceania is warning that Australia’s land clearing rate is among the highest in the world.

The statement calls for the prevention of a return to damaging high rates of woodland and forest destruction, as NSW prepares to pass biodiversity laws that would allow for increased habitat destruction.

Senior Ecologist with the National Parks Association of NSW, Oisin Sweeney says the increasing rates have seen Australia go backwards in its emissions rates.

(IMAGE: CIFOR, Flickr)