Big Dry Global hazards

The Big Dry-(2001-2009)

Big Dry causes

-Severe long term drought caused by:

~Australia is at the 30 degree south pressure belt causing naturally low rainfall

~El Nino leading to low rainfall in SE Australia

~Climate change-increasing global temperature and changing rainfall patterns-Temperature higher than usual=more water evaporation=drier AND weather fronts moved south=less rainfall

El Nino

~Pressure rises in the western pacific and falls in the east

~Causing trade winds to weaken/reverse

~Sinking high pressure leads to unusually dry weather in eastern Australia and wetter conditions in the western pacific

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Big Dry consequences-Environmental

~Water levels in Murray Darling river fell=low water supplies + toxic algae outbreaks in lakes

~Vegetation loss and soil erosion.Dust storms effected cities on the coast

~Created wildfires -30,000km2 of land burnt-Loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction and changes in ecosystem dynamics.

Big Dry consequences-Economic

~Crop yields fell.Rice production fell to just 2% of pre-drought totals,Increasing food prices

~Live stock died - Number of sheep fell by around 8 million. Farmers income fell. Over 100,000 people lost jobs in farming

Big Dry consequences - Social

~8 people killed due to heat-related illnesses and heightened conflict over dwindling water resources. Mental health issues surged among affected communities.

Big Dry responses

~Water conservation measures introduced- Around 3 million people around the Murray Darling had water allocation reduced

~Sydney built desalination plants

~23,000 rural families and 1500 small businesses provided with income support

~Government investment into improving drought forecasting - Drought resistant crops and improving irrigation schemes