Prof Karoly tells how heatwave worsened by climate change

By Robert McLean.

Professor David Karoly.

Professor David Karoly is among those who receive the updates to the Beneath the Wisteria blog.

Just today (January 12) he appeared on ABC television pointing out that climate change had worsened the present heatwave by extending it and increasing its intensity.

Prof Karoly’s views are reported in a story headed: “Heatwave exacerbated by climate change: Climate Commission”.

In the same story Australia’s PM, Julia Gillard, linked the heatwave to climate change while the Acting Opposition leader, Warren Truss, said that was utterly simplistic.

He also appeared on commercial television and did an admirable job of explaining the complexities and intricacies of climate change in what was just about three minutes, half of which was devoted to questions from the interviewer.

Teams or scientists around the world have spent a lifetime working at understanding climate change and I have immense sympathy when someone with knowledge as broad and deep as Prof Karoly has just minutes to explain the complexities.

Prof Karoly spoke to about 70 people in Shepparton in 2011.