Sequias

Droughts
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SUMMARY:
Australia suffers worst drought in 1,000 years
Australias summer has just begun but the amount of water is already dropping. Scientists have beensaying that Australia is entering a huge drought which has been the worst since 1000 years.
The river which usually provides most of the water consumed in the country has already lost more than50% of its water. The drought is likely to affect drinking water supplies to many areas. Sydney's largest reservoir is now 40% full and many towns will face shortages within a month.
It is alsoexpected to have a serious impact on crops. Last week, the government forecast its lowest wheat crop for 12 years, a 62% decrease on last year.
This week, it was predicted that rainfall in parts ofeastern Australia could drop by 40% by 2070, along with a 7C rise in temperature. It said that by 2030 the risk of bush fires would be higher, that droughts would be more severe and that rainfalland stream run-off would be lower.
Australia's long-term climate is changing. When the drought stops, the country will not return to cooler, wetter conditions. It is the worst type of droughtbecause it usually changes weather, and it is unlikely to go back to how it was before. The last half of last century was humid, but the country has been polluting a lot so climate has changed and itwill now be very dry.
The drought has set off a fierce political debate in Australia about climate change. The country has maintained an unconvinced position on the issue, and its Prime Ministerhas refused to sign Australia up to the Kyoto agreement (aimed at fighting Global Warming). However, polls suggest that the people have very different public and scientific opinions and thedrought has forced him to show some concern.
South Australia's premier, Mike Rann, said yesterday: "What we're seeing with this drought is a frightening glimpse of the future with global warming."...