The Wire

A new report by the CSIRO Atmospheric Research Institute warns that in a few decades, global warming will mean dangerous conditions for Australia. In a study presented at an international climate change forum in Sydney yesterday, scientists from the CSIRO predict that temperatures across Australia will soar. Australia will have more heat waves and fewer cold snaps, while inland areas will get even less rainfall, and in fact will face more than 100 days a year at a temperature of 35 degrees or more. One of the towns facing increased heat is Wilcannia, in western New South Wales, which already has 59 days a year above 35 degrees. But by 2030 the CSIRO says it will face over 80 such days, and by 2070, more than a third of the year in Wilcannia will have temperatures above 35 degrees. Michael Katerla spoke to Kevin Hennessy, one of the authors of the report, who works at the CSIRO Atmospheric Research Institute in Canberra.