Australia may be face of {global} warming (CNN/AP) (REPOST)

[eppur_se_muova]

GOULBURN, Australia (AP) -- People in this sheep ranching town gave up washing their cars and sprinkling their gardens long ago because of a water shortage. Children are barred from school sport fields because they are dried rock-hard and dangerous.

Goulburn, a hub for the region's Merino sheep industry that's a two hour drive from Sydney, could represent a here-and-now example of what many scientists say are problems the world will face because of global warming.
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"The Australian government is willing to sacrifice public health and safety, the lifestyles of millions of Australians and our most treasured natural icons to pursue a business as usual energy path," {WWF-Australia chief Greg Bourne} said.
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"To make radical decisions focused solely on reducing carbon emissions is premature," said Tim Wilson of the Australian APEC Study Center, a pro-business group which has received funding from Exxon Mobil Corp.
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more: http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/03/14/australia.warming.ap/index.html

Still premature? OK, check back later ... say 20 degrees later.

This was posted by hatrack a few days ago; I'm reposting it hoping more people will see it.

[HereSince1628]

1. They may want to figure out how to get freshwater as quick as

reducing carbon emissions. Sounds like the lack of water may be forcing vegetation to be dormant and thus non-functioning as a carbon sink. Moreover, you can live a year or more with a couple of degrees C added to the temp, but you gotta have water in a couple days or the global warming problem is the least of your worries.

[WhiteTara]

2. we are caught in the fear of knowing and the need

to know. If we don't find a middle path between denial and despair, we won't make it. It sure is a shame we have to spend all our energies on the political battle instead of the reparation of the damage that's been done to our home planet. As they say in Earth First!, Nature Bats Last.