January 2014 southeastern Australia heat wave

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The January 2014 southeastern Australia heat wave was a significant heat wave event which affected most of southeastern Australia from 13 to 18 January 2014. The main areas affected were Victoria, Tasmania, southern New South Wales away from the coast and the southern half of South Australia. The event ranked along with the 2009 heat wave, 1939 heat wave and 1908 heat wave as one of the most significant multi-day heatwaves on record. The heat wave broke a number of records for extended periods of heat. [1]

Contents

A spike in heat waves and record breaking high temperatures across Australia over the past five years has led to concerns over the effects of global warming and climate change on the country. [2] [3] [4]

Global warming rise in the average temperature of the Earths climate system and its related effects

Global warming is a long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system, an aspect of climate change shown by temperature measurements and by multiple effects of the warming. Though earlier geological periods also experienced episodes of warming, the term commonly refers to the observed and continuing increase in average air and ocean temperatures since 1900 caused mainly by emissions of greenhouse gasses in the modern industrial economy. In the modern context the terms global warming and climate change are commonly used interchangeably, but climate change includes both global warming and its effects, such as changes to precipitation and impacts that differ by region. Many of the observed warming changes since the 1950s are unprecedented in the instrumental temperature record, and in historical and paleoclimate proxy records of climate change over thousands to millions of years.

Climate change Change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns for an extended period

Climate change occurs when changes in Earth's climate system result in new weather patterns that last for at least a few decades, and maybe for millions of years. The climate system is comprised of five interacting parts, the atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (water), cryosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. The climate system receives nearly all of its energy from the sun, with a relatively tiny amount from earth's interior. The climate system also gives off energy to outer space. The balance of incoming and outgoing energy, and the passage of the energy through the climate system, determines Earth's energy budget. When the incoming energy is greater than the outgoing energy, earth's energy budget is positive and the climate system is warming. If more energy goes out, the energy budget is negative and earth experiences cooling.

Adelaide, South Australia suffered the brunt of the summer heat wave, recording 13 days with temperatures above 40°C (104°F).

Records and statistics

The highest temperature recorded in southeastern Australia during the heat wave 47.2°C (117°F) at Keith West, in South Australia, on 14 January. Melbourne set a record with four consecutive days of 41°C (106°F) and above. Adelaide set a record with five consecutive days of 41°C (106°F) and above. Canberra set a record with four days of 39°C (102°F) and above. [5]

Keith, South Australia Town in South Australia

Keith is a town and a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located in the state's south-east about 225 kilometres (140 mi) from the state capital of Adelaide at the junction of the Dukes Highway and the Riddoch Highway. It is sometimes referred to as the 'lucerne capital of Australia' due to the high number of lucerne growers in the region.

Temperatures (daily maximum)

Melbourne, Victoria

January 2014

Adelaide, South Australia

January 2014

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

January 2014

Effects

Human health

Ambulance Victoria noted a significant spike in the number of cardiac arrest cases and call outs during the heat wave. On 17 January paramedics attended 77 cardiac arrest calls which is about seven times the usual amount. [9] According to The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine there were 139 deaths over the average expected for the period from 13 to 23 January. [10] Later analysis found there were 167 excess deaths in Victoria over the four-day period from 14 to 17 January. [11]

Animals

A vet reported the deaths of 80 cows due to heat stress on dairy farms in the Gippsland region. [12]

Criticism of inaction by the Australian government

Australia has made worldwide news in regard to the Liberal government's perceived inaction toward the increasing trend of heat waves and record breaking temperatures across the country. Prime Minister Tony Abbott controversially stated that "bush fires have no connection to climate change", leading to some criticism. [13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Special Climate Statement 48 – one of southeast Australia's most significant heatwaves" (PDF). Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  2. ↑ Cook, Craig (11 February 2014). "Today's top of 40.9C breaks new record in South Australia of number of summer days with maximum over 40 degrees". The Australian . Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "Climate change in South Australia" . Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  4. ↑ "Heatwaves increasing in Australia". Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  5. ↑ "Special Climate Statement 48 – one of southeast Australia's most significant heatwaves" (PDF). Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  6. ↑ "Melbourne, Victoria January 2014 Daily Weather Observations". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "Adelaide, South Australia January 2014 Daily Weather Observations". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  8. ↑ "Canberra, Australian Capital Territory January 2014 Daily Weather Observations". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "Vic heatwave still causing health issues". Yahoo!7 News. Archived from the original on 2014-01-27.
  10. ↑ "Anger over spike in deaths during record Victorian heatwave". The Age.
  11. ↑ "January heatwave: deaths up 24pc, cardiac emergencies up 97pc, analysis shows". ABC News. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  12. ↑ "Vet's horror as 80 cows die due to heat stress". ABC Rural. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  13. ↑ "Tony Abbott says climate link to bush fires is complete hogwash". Renew Economy. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
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