Gus: One thing that often has to be taken into account in global warming is that an increase of 2 degrees C by the end of the century only represents a rise of 0.02 degree C per annum from now till then. It is my view that we do not have enough data to confirm or deny this. But further more there can be years or decade during which the rise is negative (say -0.02 or more) while in other time, this could be as high as 0.2.
Let's not be complacent about this.
Should the rise by end of this century be 6 degrees C, on a per annum basis this only represents a rise of of 0.06 degree C per annum. This is still hard to gauge.
Should the rise by the end of this century be 9 degree C, on a per annum basis this represents a rise of of 0.1 degree C per annum till then. This is still hard to gauge, yet indications are there to let us know it is not out of the question...
Should the rise by the end of this century be 12 degree C, on a per annum basis this represents a rise of of 0.13 degree C per annum till then. This is still hard to measure, yet indications are there to let us know it is not out of the question...
So far this year in Australia, the weather has been "warmed up" by around 2 degree C in most region — apart from Darwin (mostly steady plus) and the Perth region (that seem to have coped a "cooling" and instability of weather patterns). On the general trend here, one could assume the weather bureau at the end of year will announce a warming of Australia in the order of at least 0.5 degree this year alone, on the previous year, and about 1.5 degree C above average.
Thus the main gain is to stay focused on the "carbon equation"... A full-blown carbon exposure via CO2 and methane in the atmosphere could lead to temperature of +5 degree C in Antarctica for example (as 120 million years ago), when the south pole "enjoyed balmy nights"...
The status of this climate change is in the lap of our politicians, mostly travelling in air conditioned comfort gas-guzzling comcars, unfortunately. It is not going to be pretty.
blueberry pie...
Coalition frontbencher Joe Hockey is firming as the next leader of the federal Opposition, as Malcolm Turnbull faces continuing turmoil over his decision to back an emissions trading scheme.
Senior Liberals say Mr Turnbull's leadership is terminal and there is a plan for a unity ticket of Mr Hockey and Queensland MP Peter Dutton as deputy.
Many Liberals are angry with Mr Turnbull's decision to back the emissions trading scheme, and a slew of frontbenchers and whips have resigned in protest.
There have been strong denials of reports that Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop urged Mr Turnbull to stand down from the leadership.
And sources close to Mr Turnbull say he will not "take a backward step" and wil not step away from a fight.
Those in the Turnbull camp expect to "win" on both the leadership and the ETS and believe they have 12 "rock solid votes" to pass it.
Assistant Climate Change Minister Greg Combet has upped the heat on the Coalition, warning it to honour the deal made by Mr Turnbull to pass the amended bill by this afternoon.
Meanwhile at the coal face of nature...
Scientists have given the state of Australia's marine environment a low grade in the country's first Marine Climate Change report card released today.
The report, compiled by CSIRO and the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, details how Australia's marine environment has already changed as a result of a warming planet, and how it is expected to change in the future.
Marine biologist and contributing author Dr Alistair Hobday of CSIRO says "our marine environment is vulnerable of dropping out of school".
But he says the report does offer strategies to help marine environments adapt to the projected impacts of climate change.
Dr Hobday says the report, which took more than a year to prepare, demonstrates that climate change is already having an impact.
While at the politcal long faces...
There have been strong denials that Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop urged Malcolm Turnbull to stand down from the leadership amid growing threats to his leadership.
In other developments, former frontbencher Tony Abbott confirmed he would challenge Mr Turnbull in a leadership spill on Monday morning if the Liberal leader does not back down on emissions trading, while party heavyweights pressured Joe Hockey to stand, with Peter Dutton as his deputy.
Sources have denied earlier reports that Ms Bishop tapped Mr Turnbull on the shoulder and he refused to step down.
But his grip on the top job is weakening in the face of an unprecedented rebellion on his support for Kevin Rudd's emissions trading scheme.
Sources close to the leader say he will not "take a backward step". The Turnbull camp expects to "win" on both the leadership and the ETS and believes it has 12 "rock solid votes" to pass it.
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Adelaide's record November heat is being blamed for the latest closure of the Torrens Lake in Adelaide.
Tests by Adelaide City Council show the level of blue-green algae again is above recommended safe levels.
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At least 48 people have died in the heaviest flooding to hit Saudi Arabia in years.
The continued torrential rain has coincided with the start of the annual Hajj - the pilgrimage of nearly 2 million Muslims to Mecca and Medina, Islam's holiest cities.
But the worst floods were in the port city of Jeddah, where 76 centimetres of rain have fallen.
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The sad story here is had the Liberals not got "control" of the Australian senate, Turnbull would be as sweet as blueberry pie as leader of the Liberal Party...
blondies
Most journos who pontificate about "Malcolm style of leadeship" being the reason why the Libship is sinking are duplicitous trouble makers. How can one lead a party of Minchins, Abetzes, Tuckeys, Joyces and Andrews who are basically like kniving misinformed truants. The Berlusconi solution would be much more attractive and bear more fruit. Have the party's representatives be pole dancing blondes...