New scientific research reported by Fairfax warns that Melbourne and Sydney are facing chronic water shortages in the future:
A paper published by Environment Research Letters shows a “substantially” amplified risk for Melbourne’s water availability if global temperatures rise 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels rather than the 1.5-degree target set by the Paris climate agreement.
Separate research by the University of NSW into future rainfall and temperatures for some 222 catchments across Australia – some of which serve Sydney – found a marked increase in vulnerability of supply.
