Climate Change Hits Australia?

Australia's 12-year drought shows no sign of ending, and many are worried that the continent may be the first major victim of climate change.

1 minute read

February 4, 2009, 1:00 PM PST

By Michael Dudley

"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."

FULL STORY: Parched: Australia faces collapse as climate change kicks in

Sunday, February 1, 2009 in Independent (UK)

Environment Australia Climate Change

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