The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research will study weather patterns, ocean levels, seasonal changes and water management in a collaboration between the Bureau of Meteorology and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the agencies said in an e-mailed statement today.
Australia is struggling to recover from its worst drought in 100 years, and in June floods left seven people dead and stopped shipments from Newcastle, the world's biggest coal- export harbor. Kevin Rudd, Australia's newly elected Prime Minister, ratified the Kyoto Protocol on Dec. 3 -- the Labor party leader's first day in government -- reversing the policy of ousted Prime Minister John Howard.
Australia's coal-fueled power stations produce more greenhouse gases per capita than any other nation, a study by the Washington-based Center for Global Development found last month. Delegates, lawmakers and scientists from 187 countries are gathering this week on the Indonesian island of Bali for talks to replace a global warming treaty that expires in 2012.