No More "Drought", Says Oz Water Chief - Just The Way Things Are From Here On Out

[hatrack]

DROUGHT will become a redundant term as Australia plans for a permanently drier future, according to the nation's urban water industries chief. And climate experts yesterday predicted the present drought would continue, signalling a cruel summer for farmers and sparking fears of higher food prices.

"The urban water industry has decided the inflows of the past will never return," Water Services Association of Australia executive director Ross Young said. "We are trying to avoid the term 'drought' and saying this is the new reality." Bureau of Meteorology national climate centre chief Michael Coughlan said hopes were fading fast for desperately needed rains. "Is this drought over? Certainly not — we can't predict when this drought will end," Dr Coughlan said.

Murray Darling Basin Commission chief executive Wendy Craik said irrigators on the Murray River, including many Victorian citrus growers and dairy farmers, faced their worst ever summer. Fresh produce would be hit and food prices would probably rise, Dr Craik warned. The experts were at a drought briefing in Melbourne organised by the Australian Science Media Centre.

More than half of Australia's agricultural land, including all of Victoria's, is now drought-declared, costing the Federal Government $1.8 billion so far.

EDIT

http://www.theage.com.au/news/climate-watch/no-more-drought-its-a-permanent-dry/2007/09/06/1188783415754.html

[raccoon]

1. At least here's an official who's telling an unpleasant truth instead of pretty lies. nt