Rain report tips big WA water drop
Autumn and winter rainfall in WA could halve over the next 80 years, according to a new report warning climate change will worsen drought conditions.
A report by the Climate Council out today says global warming is putting pressure on water supplies and agriculture in south-west and south-east Australia.
The report highlights 2009 research that shows by 2030 annual water demand is tipped to outstrip supply in Perth and surrounding regions by 85 billion litres - the equivalent of 34,000 Olympic swimming pools.
Perth has already had an 80 per cent reduction of annual inflow of water to its dams since the mid-1970s, and could become more reliant on desalination plants.
The council's report comes after the Federal Government's release on Saturday of an issues paper on setting Australia's post- 2020 carbon emissions reduction target.
The issues paper indicates a carbon price will not be part of the policy mix, signalling the Government still favours a "direct action" approach which could result in tougher fuel economy rules for vehicles and energy efficiency standards for buildings and appliances. It will announce the target by mid-year.
