If you think the past few weeks have been hot, brace yourself.
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The Bureau of Metrology (BOM) has predicted 2010 will be the hottest year yet.
According to the BOM since the 1950s Australia has warmed up by a degree.
Dubbo already experienced record heat when temperatures hit a top of 43 degrees on November 20, the warmest November day in 15 years. But it looks as though the heat is only beginning to turn on.
CSU Professor Max Finlayson specialises in climate change and said looking at most recent records he “absolutely” agrees with the predictions.
“We are in for a torrid time,” he said. “Temperatures don’t increase by the same rate every year. There is generally an upward trend.
“But last decade was the hottest since we starting taking recordings.”
According to the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) annual climate statement released on Tuesday, Australia has had the third-warmest year on record. The year 2009 was marked by three exceptional heat waves, which affected south-eastern Australia in January/
February and November, the WMO report states.
Professor Finlayson said climate change was not only about higher temperatures and less rain but a complete variation of weather patterns.
“There is a lot of variability in climate change,” he said.
He highlighted the implications these changes will have on our water management and bio management.
“We’ve already seen there are going to be many more fires and temperature also has a direct health effect on people.” he said.
