DROUGHT - Australia

Question 1

What are the causes of drought in Australia?

Answer 1

• El Nino trade winds (human and physical):
  
  • When El Niño trade winds reverse, Australia experiences high pressure.
  • The moist air which South Australia would usually feel is felt by South America instead
  • Climate change increases length and intensity of the El Niño oscillations
• Low rainfall (physical):
  
  • High temperatures mean that air holds more moisture, so less rain.
  • Temperatures in Bourke can reach 50 degrees.
• Irrigation (human):
  
  • The Murray and Darling provide over 70% of irrigation to the farming areas which produce 40% of Australia’s food
  • Decreases discharge of river

Question 2

What are the effects of drought in Australia?

Answer 2

1. National Debt
   
   • 1% of Australia’s economy eaten up by drought
   • Because government raises spending
2. Rural Suicide
   
   • Failure of crops and livelihoods causes depression
3. Soil Erosion
   
   • Soil becomes too dry to support vegetation etc.
   • Estimated in 2001 report that 11% of Australia at high soil erosion risk

Question 3

What are the solutions to drought in Australia?

Answer 3

1. Hard engineering:
   
   • Government announced $10 billion to national water management plan in 2007
   • Includes deepening the channel of lakes etc. (e.g. Lake Brewster Project)
2. Technology in Agriculture:
   
   • New technology such as drought resistant plants
3. Recyclying:
   
   • In Adelaide recycled water pipeline from sewage works completed in 2010