Red Dust Cloud Blankets Sydney, Australia
The worst dust storm in at least 70 years hit Australia’s eastern coast in late September, cloaking and choking cities like Sydney and Brisbane. A large cold front whipped up the dust from the interior of the continent, called the Outback, driving it like a wall eastward. Australia, which is already the driest continent, has been suffering drought conditions for eight years. As a result, vegetation cover is reduced and topsoil is extremely vulnerable to being blown away. Winds topping 60 miles per hour not only stripped valuable soil from farmlands but also fanned bush fires. At its fiercest, wind erosion was blowing 75,000 tons of dust per hour across Sydney and dumping it in the Pacific Ocean.
By noon on Wednesday, September 23, the storm was spreading a bank of reddish-orange clouds over the southern part of the state of Queensland. The dust clouds stretched some 2,500 miles long and 650 miles wide. It is estimated that in New South Wales the official air quality index reached pollutant levels in excess of 4,164 (above 200 is rated hazardous). One Sydney resident said the city looked “like Mars.” The lack of visibility resulted in cancellation of airline flights and ocean traffic, while public health officials expected the dust itself to cause significant respiratory illness.
Environmental and climatic factors including floods, droughts, and strong winds had been building up for 10 months, according to meteorologists. Experts also noted that the existence of the El Niño weather pattern aggravated already dry conditions.
Related Links
- Sydney Dust Storm “Like Mars”
This story includes descriptions by eyewitnesses of the massive red-dust storm that hit Sydney, Australia.
(Source: BBC, September 23, 2009) - What Is the Cause and Impact of Australia’s Dust Storm?
This article discusses the cause and effects of the dust storm that blanketed Australia’s east coast, providing background on the science of dust storms.
(Source: findingdulcinea.com, September 24, 2009) - Visible from Space: The Wall of Dust Marching across the Australian Outback to Turn the Skies over Sydney Blood Red
This story from Australia’s online Mail includes numerous photos from Sydney, including NASA satellite images.
(Source: The Daily Mail, September 24, 2009) - Map of Australia
(Source: The University of Texas)
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Aboriginal Land Claims
After practicing what is often called “institutionalized racism” against its Aboriginal peoples a century ago, Australia is now struggling to improve the lives of Aborigines. Despite legal changes and efforts at fighting racism, many Aborigines still experience a lower standard of living, including poverty, health problems, unemployment, and violence.
- Constitutional Reform and Indigenous Peoples: Options for Amendment to the Australian Constitution
The Indigenous Law Centre is conducting a research project to evaluate the current position of Indigenous people under Australia’s constitution and examine proposals for constitutional reform related to Indigenous people. (Source: Australian Policy Online, January 30, 2011)
Environmental Change
Many scientists are convinced that climate changes today are not part of a natural cycle, but a result of human activity. They argue that the unbridled use of fossil fuels to power automobiles and airplanes and to produce electricity and manufactured goods is adding too many greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.
For decades, the industrialized nations have contributed to this pattern. As more and more of the world industrializes, the problem may become much worse. Some scientists believe that global warming is not only causing sea waters to rise, but may also be contributing to changing wind and rain patterns. They report that severe weather disturbances, such as storms, floods, and droughts in many parts of the world appear to be associated with such changes.
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Some experts believe that the waters around the Antarctic Peninsula are warming, causing a king crab invasion. The crabs are moving up from the deep ocean and preying on the creatures living in shallower waters, changing the ecosystem. Other scientists agree there are rapid changes underway, but argue that not enough is yet known to pin the sudden appearance of king crabs in the area on climate change. (Source: Washington Post, March 20, 2011)
Industrialization Sparks Change
Two main changes brought by industrialization are human migration to find jobs, and the need for natural resources. The growth of industry in Southeast Asia has produced positive results such as new jobs and higher wages. But it has also led to overcrowded cities and pollution.
In the face of industrialization, there is concern that such rapid change will not only harm the environment, but also trample and erase the cultural traditions of Southeast Asia.
- Migration in the Asia-Pacific Region
A new United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs study analyzes migration in Asia, focusing on six areas: migration to Western countries, contract laborers’ movement to the Middle East, international labor migration within Asia, movement of high-skill workers, mobility of students, and refugee migration.
(Source: migrationinformation.com, July 2009)