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As the impact of the drought worsens, the South Australian State Government has been urged to seriously assess scientific evidence showing pollution from our major cities and industrial sites is having a severe impact on rainfall, according to Nigel Austin, rural editor for The Australian (24/10/2006, p.25).

Cloud activity affected by pollution: Research has shown that pollution is inhibiting rainfall by preventing the moisture in clouds from forming into droplets big enough to reach the ground. It has prompted warnings that drought is not the sole cause of Australia’s water shortage, but that polluted clouds are failing to produce enough rain and snowfall in the Snowy Mountains and Victorian Alps.

Port Augusta power station an example: Murray Darling Association general manager Ray Najar said the research had credible arguments and needed to be assessed. He said the research showed pollution from Port Augusta power station, Port Pirie smelter and the Adelaide city environment was reducing rainfall.

Kwinana takes its toll on Perth: "A good example is Perth, where an average of 338mm of rain fell until 1974-75 when the Kwinana Power stations and refinery came on stream," he said. "Since then, only 167mm of rain has fallen each year."

The Advertiser, 24/10/2006, p.25

Source: Erisk Net  

Global warming is not going to end at the boundaries of the state or even the nation, and maybe the responsibility shouldn’t stop there either, says The Sydney Morning Herald (23/10/2006, p.15).

Predictions becoming alarming: Meanwhile the predictions on the impact – and cost – of global warming in Australia are becoming more alarming. We’ll be faced with more droughts and more bushfires.

Snowfields will decrease: The CSIRO predicts that the NSW snowfields may decrease by between 18 and 66 per cent by 2030, which would dramatically limit the opportunities for tourism.

Oceans will rise: Sydney and other places will struggle with their water supplies, while Sydney University scientists suggest that in Sydney the ocean could advance by as much as 150 metres by 2100.

Bondi beach will disappear: Under that scenario the beach at Bondi would disappear and the Collaroy-Narrabeen beach could retreat by 22 metres.

The Sydney Morning Herald, 23/10/2006, p.15

Source: Erisk Net