Australia Millenium Drought “Big Dry”

• Cause of the Millenium Drought

  1. 2001-2009 large scale drought
  2. South East of Australia – the Murray-Darling River basin was most affected
  3. Part of the El Nino cycle in the Pacific Ocean led to reduced precipitation levels across the basin
• Social effects of the drought in Australia

  1. 8 dead
  2. Less water supplies to homes
  3. Hundreds of homes destroyed by wildfires
• Economic effects of drought in Australia

  • Less in precipitation led to decrease in crop yield so food prices increased
  • Decrease in farmers incomes caused them to quit (100,000 jobs loses in agriculture)
  • Less livestock due to water shortages - 8 million sheep killed 2002-2003
• Environmental effects of drought in Australia

  • Dust storms & soil erosion due to lack of vegetation
  • Rivers and lakes dried up leading to habitat loss
  • Wildfires damage ecosystems
• Organisations responses to drought in Australia

  • Companies develop drought resistant wheat that can survive with less water
  • Schools and businesses join campaigns to educate people on water saving techniques
• Government responses to drought in Australia

  • Government reduced water to 3 million people living in the Murray-Darling River Basin
  • Desalination plants built to ensure supplies to cities were maintained
• Local people responses to drought in Australia

  • Decrease in domestic water use (Grey water is recycled)
  • Drip irrigation farming developed to save water
• How well prepared is Australia for next drought

  • Systems are in place to provide water if there is another drought
  • People and businesses are aware of how to reduce water use