Media Releases

Dramatic increases in the number extreme heat days (35°C+) present an increasing threat to the wellbeing of Whitsundays residents, and to key industries to the region such as agriculture and tourism.

New research from the Australia Institute’s HeatWatch initiative, which uses CSIRO–BoM modelling, shows that the number of extreme heat days experienced in the Whitsundays could increase fourfold by 2030 and reach over 87 days per year by 2090 without strong climate policies. Extreme heat nights (25°C+) are projected to rise from an average of 18 days per year up to 177  by 2090 – leaving little respite from the heat.

The Australia Institute has reviewed economic modelling of climate policies released today by Brian Fisher of BAEconomics. The Institute’s review shows that BAEconomics’ modelling is based on flawed assumptions and its conclusions are not valid.

Key problems with BAEconomics model:

New research released today by The Australia Institute shows that around 2,000 gigalitres of water were used for cotton crops in the northern Murray Darling Basin in the last year, while less than 11 gigalitres made it downstream to Wilcannia where residents have no drinking water.

Almost no water reached Menindee, the site of the summer fish kills.

This is not unusual - the Australia Institute report shows that big cotton crops in very dry years are common and, perversely, the Barwon-Darling/Barka River is actually in ‘debt’ to irrigators, owing them water that it does not currently have.

New research released today by The Australia Institute finds that a coal project proposed near Kingaroy, Queensland, should be rejected by policy makers on economic grounds.

The report finds that the project is unlikely to be economically viable, faces huge barriers in getting coal to market and would adversely impact key local industries.

“The Kingaroy economy is focused on services and agriculture. A major coal project would work against existing industries and the local government’s stated plans for the future,” said Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute and co-author of the report.