Nov 112013
 

Original story at the Climate Spectator

October was 1.43 degrees higher than the long-term average, The Australian Climate Council has found, putting the nation on track for the hottest calendar year on record.
Will Steffen, Adjunct Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society at Australian National University.

Will Steffen, Adjunct Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society at Australian National University.

In the crowd-funded group’s latest report, Off the Charts, Australia has set a new record for a 12-month period, from November 1 last year through to the end of last month.

Professor Will Steffen from the council said Australia was on track for a record calendar year, describing the year’s results as “exceptionally warm”.

Prof Steffen said the frequency of very hot days and heatwaves would increase as global temperatures rose.

“Over the month of October New South Wales experienced devastating bush fires very early in the fire season. This October was the second warmest on record in Sydney, at 3.6°C above the long-term average.

“We’ve always experienced bushfires but climate change is exacerbating the conditions for bushfires, increasing the risk of large and severe fires.

“The latest IPCC report found that Australia will continue to experience increases in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. The bushfire season is very likely to start earlier and become longer.”

The report comes as nations meet in Warsaw to discuss the global climate pact.

“Our major trading partners, particularly China and the USA, are now moving in the right direction. It is crucial that Australia steps up to the plate and plays its part.”

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