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The Big Dry The Drought from 2002-2009 - Coggle Diagram
The Big Dry
The Drought from 2002-2009
Causes
EL Nino
Trade winds that would normally bring warm water weaken, cooling the air and meaning rainfall would be more scarce.
Australia with it's lack of rainfall becomes drier and drier.
Over Use
2 Million people live on the banks of the Murray river. The water from this river is used agriculture in the region. 40% agriculture 70% Irrigated crops and pasture there are areas of income around their area.
This is the driest place on the earth that is inhabited. Although it's only 25 million. But in proportion to the amount of water available is highly over populated.
Responses
Farmers
1.7m a day for the drought relief team provided by the government and the farmers would get payed $400-600 a fortnight until they had got there full amount back.
They also more reliable irrigation system to get their crops back on the road.
Sustainable
Recycling water became a big thing. People had to reuse runoff from showers sinks and mainly washing machines by using filtration system that cleans the water for drinking. They even made a large distillation plant in Sydney.
Government
They banned car washing and limited shower length for whole family's. States urged to hand the responsibility of the Murray river to be handed over the central government. Scientists revealed that only so much water could be used sustainably. different states had to share water to get through the Big Dry.
Consequences
Social
People in rural areas had a lack of water. This put pressure on city populations. Rural suicide rates rose
Economic
Tourism was negatively impacted as expected.
10 000 employed in cotton industry impacted.
Food prices rose as they had to import.
Agriculture was severely impacted. Farmers had to sell cattle as they could not afford to feed them. Dairy farm number halved.
Water bills rose 20% in 2008
Environmental
Soil erosion as it dried out and was blown away.
Water quality reduced as toxic algal outbreaks in the depleted rivers, dams and lakes.
Loss of vegetation, wildlife and biodiversity.
Energy from HEP was reduced so more fossil fuels used.
Grassland turned to scrubland.