Angry Summer 2016/17: Climate Change Super-Charging Extreme Weather

29.03.17 By , and
This content is more than 6 years old

Australians endured another intense summer, with more than 200 record-breaking extreme weather events driven by climate change, the Climate Council’s latest report has found.

 

The “Angry Summer 2016/17: Climate Change Supercharging Extreme Weather” report shows summer temperatures soared to unprecedented new heights, with capital cities such as Sydney experiencing its hottest summer on record.

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KEY FINDINGS

1. The Australian summer of 2016/17 marked the return of the Angry Summer with record-breaking heat especially in the east of the nation. The Angry Summer was characterised by intense heatwaves, hot days and bushfires in central and eastern Australia, while heavy rainfall and flooding affected the west of the country. Noteworthy records from this summer include:

2. Climate change is driving hotter, longer lasting and more frequent heatwaves.

3. Escalating extreme weather is putting Australia’s ageing energy system under intense pressure.

4. The costs of the extreme heat are clear with reduced work productivity, increasing risk of bushfires and escalating damage to the Great Barrier Reef.

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