Independent UK: Parched: Australia faces collapse as climate change kicks in

[marmar]

Parched: Australia faces collapse as climate change kicks in
Geoffrey Lean and Kathy Marks report on the worst heatwave in the country's history

Sunday, 1 February 2009


Leaves are falling off trees in the height of summer, railway tracks are buckling, and people are retiring to their beds with deep-frozen hot-water bottles, as much of Australia swelters in its worst-ever heatwave.

On Friday, Melbourne thermometers topped 43C (109.4F) on a third successive day for the first time on record, while even normally mild Tasmania suffered its second-hottest day in a row, as temperatures reached 42.2C. Two days before, Adelaide hit a staggering 45.6C. After a weekend respite, more records are expected to be broken this week.

Ministers are blaming the heat – which follows a record drought – on global warming. Experts worry that Australia, which emits more carbon dioxide per head than any nation on earth, may also be the first to implode under the impact of climate change.

At times last week it seemed as if that was happening already. Chaos ruled in Melbourne on Friday after an electricity substation exploded, shutting down the city's entire train service, trapping people in lifts, and blocking roads as traffic lights failed. Half a million homes and businesses were blacked out, and patients were turned away from hospitals. ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/parched-australia-faces-collapse-as-climate-change-kicks-in-1522529.html

[depakid]

1. One thing to consider

Poms always- and I mean always- look down on Australians.

Wouldn't have believed it as a born and raised American- had I not seen it for myself.

Yes, there's a heat wave, but it's nothing like what's described.

And unlike Britain- banks here are quite responsible and safe.

[Nihil]

6. Rubbish.

> Poms always- and I mean always- look down on Australians.

Your broad-brush assertion is simply wrong (unless you have some
special private meaning for "always" or possibly for "look down").
It's also a bit rich to use a derogatory term ("poms") when whinging
about disrespectful attitudes of others ...
:eyes:

> Yes, there's a heat wave, but it's nothing like what's described.

Yeah, just check out the info & pictures at http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x184969
for a *true* picture.

>> A record heat wave may have claimed at least 22 lives in South Australia
>> as neighboring Victoria battles bushfires and power outages that have shut
>> businesses and led to public transport chaos in both the states.

Nah ... must be exaggeration by some Pommie poster!
:P

> And unlike Britain- banks here are quite responsible and safe.

Non-sequitur much? (Not to mention the implicit "looking down" on
the British ...)

Still, enjoy your summer over there - we had several inches of snow
overnight and the UK transport infrastructure just can't seem to handle
stuff like that ...
:hi:

[enid602]

2. drought

Worst drought in 60 years here in Argentina; also in Uruguay, Paraguay. I don´t know about Chile.

[Baby Snooks]

5. The extremes...

The winter in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Europe and the United States, while not "record breaking" is nonetheless an extreme winter. Juxtaposed against the extreme summer in parts of the Southern Hemisphere you have to wonder if the extremes in both hemispheres are an indication of things to come.

We may find out in the Northern Hemisphere in the summer. Juxtaposed against the extreme winter in parts of the Southern Hemisphere. It appears it is too late to stop what has already started. Hopefully we can prevent it from becoming worse.

The impact on the ecosystems of course is what should worry us most. But apparently doesn't. Not our governments anyway.

[Barrett808]

3. Grim indeed. I've been covering these stories over at Desdemona:

http://desdemonadespair.blogspot.com

</blog_whoring>

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. Australia scorched by heat as 22 people die in just ONE city - … heatwave set to be worst in 100 yrs

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1132336/Australia-scorched-heat-22-people-die-just-ONE-city--heatwave-set-worst-100-years.html

Australia scorched by heat as 22 people die in just ONE city - with heatwave set to be worst in 100 years

By Richard Shears
Last updated at 3:26 PM on 30th January 2009

A record-breaking heat wave sweeping across southern Australia - with temperatures reaching 114F - is being blamed for the 'sudden deaths' of at least 22 people in one city alone.

Authorities admit they have not seen so many deaths in one area associated with the heat in living memory, with medical experts fearing that those who died had probably succumbed to heart attacks and strokes.

Fourteen pensioners are among 22 people who have died suddenly in the space of just 24 hours as the South Australian capital, Adelaide, struggles through temperatures that have soared above 110F for three consecutive days.

The highest temperature so far has hit 114F.

…

[Wednesdays]

7. If only there was a cheap way Kentucky could send them their ice

:shrug:

Wicked weather, everywhere. Global warming, a myth? Phhht!