5th World Conference of Science Journalists

 Water Wars [90:55m]: Download

PRODUCER/CHAIR: Jenni Metcalfe

SPEAKERS: Tim Flannery, Asa Wahlquist, Mike Young, Mike Rann

SESSION REPORT: Is Australia running out of water?

By Imelda V. Abano

Water in Australia is emerging as a scarce commodity, fueled by population pressures, intensive irrigation and erratic weather patterns brought on by global warming.

Addressing science journalists at this session, climate change expert and author Tim Flannery said Australia’s drought was part of a global dry spell that threatened the planet’s future.

“While water shortage is a global phenomenon not just in Australia, the present drought had already put huge strain on river systems,” Flannery said adding that scientists have found a 10 to 15 percent decrease in rainfall over a 50 year period.

He warned that climate change will likely make things worse for water resource management in the Murray-Darling Basin. “The water that’s available for us to use is declining because of this warming trend.”

The Murray-Darling Basin is one of Australia’s foremost river systems responsible for irrigating the country’s crops. Australia is faced with water scarcity in the Murray-Darling Basin as a result of diverting large quantities of water for use in agriculture.

University of Adelaide Professor Mike Young said managing water supply is the biggest climate-change adaptation facing Australia.

“We need to build mechanisms that make people aware of the value of water and to cope with these changes,” Prof. Young said.

Prof. Young said there is an urgent need for “well-designed urban and rural water allocation: and trading systems that offer ways of ensuring that this system will be effective.

“We need to work-out with the government and talk to the community about this problem,” he said.

On the other hand, South Australia’s premier, Mike Rann said the issue of water has been paramount. He suggested a need to introduce legislation next year and adaptation with the prevailing issue of water in Australia.

“What we’re seeing with this drought is a frightening glimpse of the future with global warming,” Rann said.