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Australian Drought by 2010

Page history last edited by PBworks 15 years, 8 months ago

Australian climate report like 'disaster novel': minister Sun Jul 6,

5:39 AM ET

 

 

SYDNEY (AFP) - Heatwaves, less rain and increased drought are the

likely prospect for Australia, according to a new report on climate

change which the agriculture minister said read like a "disaster

novel".

 

The report, by the Bureau of Meteorology and the Commonwealth

Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, found that the

world's driest inhabited continent is likely to suffer more extreme

temperatures due to climate change.

 

It said that exceptionally hot years, which once occurred every 20

to 25 years, were more likely to hit every one or two years. And the

hotter weather could begin as soon as 2010.

 

Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said the assessment indicated that

the risk of drought would double, as would the area of Australia

declared to be in drought.

 

"Parts of these high level projections read more like a disaster

novel than a scientific report," he told reporters.

 

"What's clear is that the cycle of drought is going to be more

regular and deeper than ever."

 

The report is part of a government review of drought policy.

 

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the report, which found that the area

of Australia having an exceptionally hot year could increase from

just under five percent to as much as 95 percent, was "very

disturbing".

 

"The analysis shows that the extent and frequency of exceptionally

hot years have been increasing rapidly over recent decades and this

trend is expected to continue," the report concluded.

 

Rainfall, which has been falling since the 1950s -- partly due to

climate change -- is also likely to decline with southern Australia

and the southern island of Tasmania among the worst affected, it

said.

 

posted to ClimateConcern

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