Climate change adds
to heat risk: report

The Climate Commission has released its latest report on the link between Australia’s current extreme weather conditions and climate change.
   In his report, Off the Charts: Extreme Australian Summer Heat, co-author David Karoly says baseline conditions have shifted.
   “The extreme heat and bushfires have prompted many in the public and the media to ask the Climate Commission about the influence of climate change,” Professor Karoly said.
   “This report outlines what we know.
   “We live in a hotter world and the risk of more frequent and severe extreme weather has already increased.”
Commission finds links ‘unprecedented’
   He said the length, extent and severity of the current heatwave was unprecedented.
   “While typical summer heatwaves influence a region, this heatwave has affected over 70 per cent of Australia,” he said.
   Professor Karoly said climate change had undoubtedly contributed to making extreme heat conditions and bushfires worse.
   “Although Australia has always had heatwaves, hot days and bushfires, climate change is increasing the risk of more frequent and longer heatwaves and more extreme hot days, as well as exacerbating bushfire conditions,” he said.
   Professor Karoly said reducing greenhouse gas emissions was one of the crucial steps to reducing the risk of more severe extreme weather in the future.
   “It is important that the community understands the link between heat extremes and climate change,” he said.
   “Our efforts to reduce greenhouse gases today can reduce the risk of more and more severe extreme weather in the future.”
   The report can be accessed at this PS News link.
Edition 344, 15 January 2013
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