UK becomes first country to declare a ‘climate emergency’

On Wednesday night a bipartisan UK Parliament passed an extraordinary measure: a national declaration of an Environment and Climate Emergency.

Days of protest by Extinction Rebellion have
brought parts of London to a standstill.

The UK is the first national government to declare such an emergency. The decision marks a renewed sense of urgency in tackling climate change, following a visit to Parliament by teenage activist Greta Thunberg , the broadcast of David Attenborough’s documentary Climate Change: The Facts and 11 days of protest by environmental group Extinction Rebellion that paralysed parts of London.

Read the story from The Conversation by the Professor of Earth Science and Climate Change, ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage from the University of NSW, Chris Turney -  “UK becomes first country to declare a ‘climate emergency’.”

Melbourne weather: Regional Victoria bracing for heavy rain, flash flooding

Flooded paddocks along the Drysdale Creek,
 north of Warrnambool, earlier this month.

The once in 50-years storm that lashed South Australia's coastline is expected to skip Melbourne, but could batter already saturated parts of regional Victoria.

Up to 80 millimetres of rain could fall within six hours over parts of northern and western Victoria on Wednesday night, with more expected on Thursday, raising fears of flash flooding.

Damaging winds up to 110km/h could also lash regional areas, as the complex low-pressure system crosses into Victoria's north-west overnight.

The fierce weather system that gripped South Australia on Wednesday afternoon, cut power to the entire state.

Read the Melbourne Age story - “Melbourne weather: Regional Victoria bracing for heavy rain, flash flooding.”