1st Cyclone Hits S. Pacific 2 Mo. Early - An Aussie Farmer Kills Himself Every 4 Days

[hatrack]

Good thing there's no global warming, huh?

SYDNEY - Australia is already feeling the heat from climate change with a five-year drought devastating rural life, severe early season wildfires and record unseasonal temperatures. Every four days, a farmer commits suicide under the stress of failing crops, dying livestock and debt as the worst drought in 100 years bites deep into the nation's psyche and erodes economic growth. "The current drought highlights how vulnerable we are to climate change," said farmer Mark Wootton. "We will never solve the drought if we don't solve climate change."

Australia's cities are also suffering, with every major centre imposing strict water usage restrictions as reservoir levels fall. Sydney, the largest city, is examining a desalination scheme to guarantee future water supplies. Neighbouring New Zealand is also experiencing climate chaos, with a severe spring snow storm recently killing livestock on the same day hundreds of bushfires burnt parts of southeast Australia.

South Pacific island states, which have for years battled rising sea levels and more frequent storms believed caused by global warming, were last month hit by Cyclone Xavier. The storm was the first of the cyclone season and formed two months early.

Australian scientists and environmentalists say climate change is no longer a future threat and are urging Australia to sign the Kyoto Protocol aimed at lowering greenhouse gases.

EDIT

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/38776/story.htm

[OwnedByFerrets]

1. And here I was thinking

of moving there if we lost the Nov election.:banghead:

[4bucksagallon]

2. The southern island, Mindanao in the Philippines just got hit by...

a big typhoon, unusual, for they usually hit more to the north in Luzon. The track of the storms and severity seems to be on the increase.