Don't plan on staying in Perth for long!
Jun 24th 2004, 11:14 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Don't plan on staying in Perth for long!
From todays West http://www.thewest.com.au/20040625/n...sto127089.html
"Perth will become a ghost city within decades as rising global temperatures turn the Wheatbelt into a desert and drive species to the brink of extinction, a leading Australian scientist warns.
Australian palaeontologist and popular author Tim Flannery said Perth was a city on the edge - isolated, dependent on energy and declining water supplies and more likely to feel the effects of global warming because of its geographical position.
"You're going to suffer faster and harder than any other State in Australia," Dr Flannery said yesterday.
"My hypothesis is Perth will become a ghost metropolis over the next few decades unless governments acknowledge that global warming is a reality."
He said a global temperature rise of less than 1C last century had robbed the State of over half its annual rainfall run-off. Global temperature rises of up to 6C would transform Perth into an arid city unable to feed itself.
A 1C rise was enough to wipe out an estimated two-thirds of WA's native flowering plants.
The South Australian Museum director and author of the best-selling The Future Eaters said a major shift from coal to renewable fuels such as solar and wind energy was needed in WA.
"Coal is the enemy," Dr Flannery said, adding that one tonne of coal produced three tonnes of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.
"WA could become the cradle of a vibrant new energy industry. It is one of the windiest and sunniest places in the world," he said.
Dr Flannery described State Government plans to build a carbon dioxide-emitting desalination plant as an expensive bandaid solution. It was a massive investment of taxpayers' money to meet a small percentage of Perth's water needs.
Jorg Imberger, head of the University of WA's centre for water research, agreed, saying the plant would produce about 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
"Building such a plant is the worst thing we can do when we have Yaragadee, with 1000 years of water in it," he said from Singapore yesterday.
But Dr Imberger said Dr Flannery was wrong to suggest WA was heading for an arid future when overall the world was getting wetter, not drier. He said his forecast was alarmist."
"Perth will become a ghost city within decades as rising global temperatures turn the Wheatbelt into a desert and drive species to the brink of extinction, a leading Australian scientist warns.
Australian palaeontologist and popular author Tim Flannery said Perth was a city on the edge - isolated, dependent on energy and declining water supplies and more likely to feel the effects of global warming because of its geographical position.
"You're going to suffer faster and harder than any other State in Australia," Dr Flannery said yesterday.
"My hypothesis is Perth will become a ghost metropolis over the next few decades unless governments acknowledge that global warming is a reality."
He said a global temperature rise of less than 1C last century had robbed the State of over half its annual rainfall run-off. Global temperature rises of up to 6C would transform Perth into an arid city unable to feed itself.
A 1C rise was enough to wipe out an estimated two-thirds of WA's native flowering plants.
The South Australian Museum director and author of the best-selling The Future Eaters said a major shift from coal to renewable fuels such as solar and wind energy was needed in WA.
"Coal is the enemy," Dr Flannery said, adding that one tonne of coal produced three tonnes of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.
"WA could become the cradle of a vibrant new energy industry. It is one of the windiest and sunniest places in the world," he said.
Dr Flannery described State Government plans to build a carbon dioxide-emitting desalination plant as an expensive bandaid solution. It was a massive investment of taxpayers' money to meet a small percentage of Perth's water needs.
Jorg Imberger, head of the University of WA's centre for water research, agreed, saying the plant would produce about 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
"Building such a plant is the worst thing we can do when we have Yaragadee, with 1000 years of water in it," he said from Singapore yesterday.
But Dr Imberger said Dr Flannery was wrong to suggest WA was heading for an arid future when overall the world was getting wetter, not drier. He said his forecast was alarmist."
Jun 24th 2004, 11:17 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Perth, Since Jan 05
Posts: 708
I must admit during my visit to Perth in April, I was suprised to see that the sun and wind energy which is so prevalent in Perth was not being harnessed more - Obviously i saw solar hot water heaters on roofs etc, but somehow I expected it to be more widespread and have other uses. Granted I didn't go hunting for wind farms.
Jun 25th 2004, 3:28 pm
#3
Dutch expat/Aus citizen
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: South East, Perth (was Holland)
Posts: 5,789
Yeah, 
Water has already been a problem for ages, but it's gonna get worse!
Mm, they can have Hollands water!
Water has already been a problem for ages, but it's gonna get worse!
Mm, they can have Hollands water!
Jun 25th 2004, 7:29 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Don't plan on staying in Perth for long!
Originally posted by owieb
From todays West http://www.thewest.com.au/20040625/n...sto127089.html
"Perth will become a ghost city within decades as rising global temperatures turn the Wheatbelt into a desert and drive species to the brink of extinction, a leading Australian scientist warns.
Australian palaeontologist and popular author Tim Flannery said Perth was a city on the edge - isolated, dependent on energy and declining water supplies and more likely to feel the effects of global warming because of its geographical position.
"You're going to suffer faster and harder than any other State in Australia," Dr Flannery said yesterday.
"My hypothesis is Perth will become a ghost metropolis over the next few decades unless governments acknowledge that global warming is a reality."
He said a global temperature rise of less than 1C last century had robbed the State of over half its annual rainfall run-off. Global temperature rises of up to 6C would transform Perth into an arid city unable to feed itself.
A 1C rise was enough to wipe out an estimated two-thirds of WA's native flowering plants.
The South Australian Museum director and author of the best-selling The Future Eaters said a major shift from coal to renewable fuels such as solar and wind energy was needed in WA.
"Coal is the enemy," Dr Flannery said, adding that one tonne of coal produced three tonnes of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.
"WA could become the cradle of a vibrant new energy industry. It is one of the windiest and sunniest places in the world," he said.
Dr Flannery described State Government plans to build a carbon dioxide-emitting desalination plant as an expensive bandaid solution. It was a massive investment of taxpayers' money to meet a small percentage of Perth's water needs.
Jorg Imberger, head of the University of WA's centre for water research, agreed, saying the plant would produce about 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
"Building such a plant is the worst thing we can do when we have Yaragadee, with 1000 years of water in it," he said from Singapore yesterday.
But Dr Imberger said Dr Flannery was wrong to suggest WA was heading for an arid future when overall the world was getting wetter, not drier. He said his forecast was alarmist."
From todays West http://www.thewest.com.au/20040625/n...sto127089.html
"Perth will become a ghost city within decades as rising global temperatures turn the Wheatbelt into a desert and drive species to the brink of extinction, a leading Australian scientist warns.
Australian palaeontologist and popular author Tim Flannery said Perth was a city on the edge - isolated, dependent on energy and declining water supplies and more likely to feel the effects of global warming because of its geographical position.
"You're going to suffer faster and harder than any other State in Australia," Dr Flannery said yesterday.
"My hypothesis is Perth will become a ghost metropolis over the next few decades unless governments acknowledge that global warming is a reality."
He said a global temperature rise of less than 1C last century had robbed the State of over half its annual rainfall run-off. Global temperature rises of up to 6C would transform Perth into an arid city unable to feed itself.
A 1C rise was enough to wipe out an estimated two-thirds of WA's native flowering plants.
The South Australian Museum director and author of the best-selling The Future Eaters said a major shift from coal to renewable fuels such as solar and wind energy was needed in WA.
"Coal is the enemy," Dr Flannery said, adding that one tonne of coal produced three tonnes of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.
"WA could become the cradle of a vibrant new energy industry. It is one of the windiest and sunniest places in the world," he said.
Dr Flannery described State Government plans to build a carbon dioxide-emitting desalination plant as an expensive bandaid solution. It was a massive investment of taxpayers' money to meet a small percentage of Perth's water needs.
Jorg Imberger, head of the University of WA's centre for water research, agreed, saying the plant would produce about 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
"Building such a plant is the worst thing we can do when we have Yaragadee, with 1000 years of water in it," he said from Singapore yesterday.
But Dr Imberger said Dr Flannery was wrong to suggest WA was heading for an arid future when overall the world was getting wetter, not drier. He said his forecast was alarmist."
Jun 26th 2004, 12:30 am
#5
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
I watched a prgram on ABC with regards to this. The report is a bit doom mongering but as with the rest of us something urgent needs to be done and it will cost a fortune. Doubling of water rates will be minimum cost.
Desalination is not cheap. Perths water catchment area was designed for rainfall that was available at the time. Ever since rainfall has been dropping.
NSW Vic and SA are in an argument with QLD which has farms that dam the Murrays flow before it heads south. One cotton farm takes 10% of the flow. At the mouth of the river in SA the river is dead.
Wyangala Dam in NSW is at 7% capacity. Too many farms taking too much water. The water tables in the area have dropped and farmers have to dig deeper. Because of the lack of rain the water delivery man is one of the busiest people in the area.
The area is lucky because they still have 7%.
Sydneys main catchment has about 2 years supply left, barring a major change in current weather patterns.
Most of us will have to pay more for water and use it much more efficiently.
The farm house I stayed on recycles all its used water and survives on rain water siphoned into tanks. Shame there is no rain to fill the tanks so they now have to have deliveries.
Desalination is not cheap. Perths water catchment area was designed for rainfall that was available at the time. Ever since rainfall has been dropping.
NSW Vic and SA are in an argument with QLD which has farms that dam the Murrays flow before it heads south. One cotton farm takes 10% of the flow. At the mouth of the river in SA the river is dead.
Wyangala Dam in NSW is at 7% capacity. Too many farms taking too much water. The water tables in the area have dropped and farmers have to dig deeper. Because of the lack of rain the water delivery man is one of the busiest people in the area.
The area is lucky because they still have 7%.
Sydneys main catchment has about 2 years supply left, barring a major change in current weather patterns.
Most of us will have to pay more for water and use it much more efficiently.
The farm house I stayed on recycles all its used water and survives on rain water siphoned into tanks. Shame there is no rain to fill the tanks so they now have to have deliveries.
Jun 26th 2004, 12:47 am
#6
Brain Drained
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,882
Re: Don't plan on staying in Perth for long!
Originally posted by Lathlain
Greenies are at it again I see!
Greenies are at it again I see!
Jun 26th 2004, 1:02 am
#7
Banned
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,432
Living With Drought
1864-66 All States affected except Tasmania.
1880-86 Southern and eastern States affected.
1895-1903 Sheep numbers halved and more than 40 per cent loss of cattle. Most devastating drought in terms of stock losses.
1911-16 Loss of 19 million sheep and 2 million cattle.
1918-20 Only parts of Western Australia free from drought.
1939-45 Loss of nearly 30 million sheep between 1942 and 1945.
1963-68 Widespread drought. Also longest drought in arid central Australia: 1958-67. The last two years saw a 40 per cent drop in wheat harvest, a loss of 20 million sheep, and a decrease in farm income of $300-500 million.
1972-73 Mainly in eastern Australia.
1982-83 Total loss estimated in excess of $3000 million. Most intense drought in terms of vast areas affected.
1991-95 Average production by rural industries fell about 10 per cent, resulting in possible $5 billion cost to the Australian economy, $590 million drought relief provided by the Commonwealth Government between September 1992 and December 1995.
1864-66 All States affected except Tasmania.
1880-86 Southern and eastern States affected.
1895-1903 Sheep numbers halved and more than 40 per cent loss of cattle. Most devastating drought in terms of stock losses.
1911-16 Loss of 19 million sheep and 2 million cattle.
1918-20 Only parts of Western Australia free from drought.
1939-45 Loss of nearly 30 million sheep between 1942 and 1945.
1963-68 Widespread drought. Also longest drought in arid central Australia: 1958-67. The last two years saw a 40 per cent drop in wheat harvest, a loss of 20 million sheep, and a decrease in farm income of $300-500 million.
1972-73 Mainly in eastern Australia.
1982-83 Total loss estimated in excess of $3000 million. Most intense drought in terms of vast areas affected.
1991-95 Average production by rural industries fell about 10 per cent, resulting in possible $5 billion cost to the Australian economy, $590 million drought relief provided by the Commonwealth Government between September 1992 and December 1995.
Jun 26th 2004, 1:16 am
#8
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Concerning the current drought, it will eventually end like other droughts have done. When you listen to some of the politicians harp on, you'd think Australia has never had a drought before. It's no different when people seem surprised when bushfires occur.
All that said, as a nation we have got to ask ourselves why we are growing water-intensive crops like cotton and rice on the earth's driest continent?
Climate fluctuation is a natural phenomenon, and the earth has experienced some quite violent changes in the past. Long before people could have had anything to do with them. Again, while certain politicians like to use the 'global warming' ides to advance their own agendas (such as making people feel better about higher taxes supposedly imposed for 'environmental' reasons) the reality is that there is little we can do to prevent global warming or cooling - as opposed to managing how we're going to live with it.
In recorded history, London has had winters so cold the river Thames regularly froze over, and summers a lot warmer than anything experienced now.
On average a warmer world should mean a wetter one (due to more evaporation from the oceans), although certain parts of the globe may become drier. Parts of Australia that are currently dry - towards the north west - may end up with more rainfall rather than less.
There is a case for giving the federal government control over water issues, so that federal legislation could be used to force QLD to allow more Murray water move southwards, as well as put an end to other interstate wrangles on resources that transcend state borders. This could require a referendum to change the constitution.
Jeremy
All that said, as a nation we have got to ask ourselves why we are growing water-intensive crops like cotton and rice on the earth's driest continent?
Climate fluctuation is a natural phenomenon, and the earth has experienced some quite violent changes in the past. Long before people could have had anything to do with them. Again, while certain politicians like to use the 'global warming' ides to advance their own agendas (such as making people feel better about higher taxes supposedly imposed for 'environmental' reasons) the reality is that there is little we can do to prevent global warming or cooling - as opposed to managing how we're going to live with it.
In recorded history, London has had winters so cold the river Thames regularly froze over, and summers a lot warmer than anything experienced now.
On average a warmer world should mean a wetter one (due to more evaporation from the oceans), although certain parts of the globe may become drier. Parts of Australia that are currently dry - towards the north west - may end up with more rainfall rather than less.
There is a case for giving the federal government control over water issues, so that federal legislation could be used to force QLD to allow more Murray water move southwards, as well as put an end to other interstate wrangles on resources that transcend state borders. This could require a referendum to change the constitution.
Jeremy
Originally posted by bondipom
I watched a prgram on ABC with regards to this. The report is a bit doom mongering but as with the rest of us something urgent needs to be done and it will cost a fortune. Doubling of water rates will be minimum cost.
I watched a prgram on ABC with regards to this. The report is a bit doom mongering but as with the rest of us something urgent needs to be done and it will cost a fortune. Doubling of water rates will be minimum cost.
Jun 26th 2004, 7:07 am
#9
58.38264% - Extreme Geek
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: The Place To Be
Posts: 2,270
Blimey. Makes you think.
We went to see that movie 'The Day after Tomorrow' a couple nights ago. Although it was full of plot flaws and glitzy CGI, and some of the science quoted was a bit iffy, I think everyone should be made to go see it, to see what could potentially happen at the extreme of neglecting the environment. For all the blockbuster nature of the movie, it has a very chilling (pun not intended) dark side....
Anya.
We went to see that movie 'The Day after Tomorrow' a couple nights ago. Although it was full of plot flaws and glitzy CGI, and some of the science quoted was a bit iffy, I think everyone should be made to go see it, to see what could potentially happen at the extreme of neglecting the environment. For all the blockbuster nature of the movie, it has a very chilling (pun not intended) dark side....
Anya.
