The South-West of WA has certainly dried, but it’s not at all clear that this is caused by anthropogenic global warming. Land clearance, ocean currents and natural variability may be at least as significant.

Even if AGW is the cause, the causal link between greenhouse gas emissions in WA and temperatures or rainfall in WA is zero. Global warming is a global issue driven by global emissions and needing, ultimately, a global solution. The idea that we can solve WA’s water problem by reducing WA’s emissions is ridiculous.

In this context, WA’s natural gas developments are part of the solution, not part of the problem. It is widely recognised that natural gas is an important transition fuel as the world economy moves away from highly emissions intensive energy sources towards renewables. By substituting natural gas for coal in Asia’s power stations, WA’s gas exports will reduce global emissions, even though localised emissions will increase because CO2 is emitted in the gas production process. It is frankly absurd to argue that WA should not develop its gas reserves because it will emit CO2 in gas production, when overall that gas will contributed to lower global emissions by replacing coal.

2010 is on track to be Hobart's hottest on record.

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/12/02/190441_tasmania-news.html

Just saying.

<< … WA’s natural gas developments are part of the solution, not part of the problem. >>

I’m not sure about that Rhian

<< By substituting natural gas for coal in Asia’s power stations, WA’s gas exports will reduce global emissions >>

I wonder to what extent gas is replacing coal and to what extent is just more fossil fuel consumption on top of coal?

Loudmouth that's OK it was hot in Death Valley in 1913. It's just that more recently the scatter plot of temperature tends to be clustered at the high end. The temps as not quite as high but there are more of them.

Rhian the deal should be that Asians have to dynamite coal plants before they get any Australian LNG. At best gas fired electricity will save 55% of the CO2 of crushed black coal. What happens if we decide we want 80% less CO2? What happens when like the UK we no longer have enough gas to export?

It seems the author is picking on one Australian state to attack a global problem - one has to ask, why?

Ozandy - nitpick: your post reads as if you are confusing Hadley and Walker Circulation cells. I'm sure it is not intended.

Thanks Mark

A quote from the link.
'The above-average temperatures are set to continue into the first week of summer, with forecast tops mostly in the low 20s.'

I would be hoping against hope that gw would hurry up with maximums in the low 20's in summer. Who would choose to live in such a cold place.