Now That Was A Heatwave!
In a story on the Adelaide heatwave (ST, 16/3), the Climate Institute's
Edwin Jackson says it's a prediction of more such weather to come.
If that's so, the similar heatwave in 1931 has taken a long time to
arrive. Has Mr Jackson lived in Adelaide for a few summers? I expect
not.
I lived there for 20 years, and experienced the hottest decade of the
20th century: 1931, 1934, 1938 and 1939 were the four hottest years of
that century.
In 1931, we had eight days over 38C, from Christmas Day to New Year's
Day. The maximum temperature was 44.5C.
So nine such days are due to climate change, but eight of the same were
not?
Nonsense!
Adelaide also experiences very hot, dry northerly winds from the desert,
often accompanied by dust. We became accustomed to hot summers.
Edwin Jackson is also concerned about sea levels rising. The maximum
rise in recent years has been 1.5mm; usually the sea level remains
constant.
There was no mention that the northern hemisphere has experienced one of
its coldest winters in memory, notably in Canada, New York State, China
(where many people died of cold) and western Greenland (where the
temperature fell to minus 30C and the sea ice compacted).
Now that was climate change, but not caused by CO2. Blame the sun. or
possibly the clouds.
DAVID DAVIES, Pymble
Reader letter, Sunday Telegraph (Australia) 13 Apr 2006
--
Warmest Regards
Bonzo
"There is no compelling evidence that carbon dioxide has any significant
control over the direction of global temperature and climate. The
processes that regulate the interannual to decadal fluctuations of
climate are poorly understood and, as yet, unpredictable" William
Kininmonth, Meteorologist, Former Head, National Climate Centre, Bureau
of Meteorology, 1986-1998
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