So, Australia just had its warmest winter on record
Australians have just wrapped up the warmest winter on record, according to a new report.
The Climate Council's report, titled Hot and Dry: Australia’s Weird Winter, found that Australia's winter had the highest maximum temperatures on record — reaching nearly 2ºC above average.
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But while Australians were able to leave a few layers at home, ecologist Professor Lesley Hughes reminds y'all that it's not a positive thing — how about that climate change?
“Without any meaningful action to tackle climate change, we will continue to see many more hot winters, just like this, as global temperatures rise,” she said on the Climate Council website. "We must take meaningful action to strongly reduce Australia’s emissions from fossil fuels."
According to the Climate Council, Australia's average winter temperatures have increased by approximately 1ºC since 1910, thanks to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, a big source for the country.
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The report comes at a time when Australia's energy policy is under high scrutiny, especially in regards to the country's ability to meet emission reduction targets set at the Paris climate change conference.
The report draws attention to Australia’s energy system, a largely coal-based system, which is described as "ageing, inefficient and polluting, and has proved unable to cope with escalating extreme weather, like heatwaves."
Australia's not just warmer in winter, but drier
Outside of warming, maximum heat temperatures weren't the only records broken over the winter, according to the report, with over 260 heat and low rainfall records smashed.
It was the driest winter recorded since 2002, and second driest Australian June on record. Bushfire risk is above normal for approximately one third of Australia, and the season will begin earlier in in Australia’s southeast.
Here's a neat little infographic from the report's findings that paints a pretty concerning picture:
Image: Climate council.
According to the report, Australia is on track for a warmer than average spring. Nothing important after that though, just Australia's characteristically blistering hot summer. Bondi's going to be crowded.
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