Climate is changing: Report
Sea-surface temperatures up and and ocean levels risingA definitive report on observed changes in long-term trends in Australia’s climate has been released by the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.
And the report, called State of the Climate 2014, shows that things are gradually changing in our oceans and waterways, as well as our climate.
CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Megan Clark said Australia has warmed in every state and territory and in every season.
"Australia has one of the most variable climates in the world. Against this backdrop, across the decades, we’re continuing to see increasing temperatures, warmer oceans, changes to when and where rain falls and higher sea levels," Dr Clark said.
"The sea-surface temperatures have warmed by 0.9°C since 1900 and greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise."
Other facts that the report found include:
>> The Earth is gaining heat, most of which is going into the oceans.
>> Global mean sea level increased throughout the 20th century and in 2012 was 225 mm higher than in 1880.
>> Rates of sea-level rise vary around the Australian region, with higher sea-level rise observed in the north and rates similar to the global average observed in the south and east.
>> Ocean acidity levels have increased since the 1800s due to increased CO2 absorption from the atmosphere.
Bureau Chief Executive Dr Rob Vertessy said temperatures across Australia were, on average, almost 1°C warmer than they were a century ago, with most of the warming having occurred since 1950.
"Australia’s mean temperature has warmed by 0.9°C since 1910," Dr Vertessy said.
"Seven of the ten warmest years on record in Australia have occurred since 1998. When we compare the past 15 years to the period 1951 to1980, we find that the frequency of very warm months has increased five-fold and the frequency of very cool months has decreased by around a third," he added.
The CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology play a key role in monitoring, measuring and reporting on weather and climate, contributing to improved understanding of our changing global climate system. State of the Climate 2014 is the third report in a series and follows earlier reports in 2010 and 2012.
For further information and to download the full report: www.bom.gov.au/state-of-the-climate/
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