Predicting natural events
Useful sites
Earth Science Australia
Origins of extreme weather
Provides information on floods, drought, cyclones, tornadoes, thunderstorms and El Niño.
The Johnstone River, far north Queensland
Provides links to information on flood warning system, flood model development and flood predictions for the Johnstone River.
Geography and climate special article – climate change (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Defines climate change and summarises the cause, impact and modelling of climate change.
Mathematics in environmental science (Macquarie University, Australia)
Discusses the use of mathematical models in environmental science.
What is resilience? (Resilience Alliance, USA)
Defines resilience and how it may be altered in ecosystems.
After the flood (Higher Education and Research Opportunities in the United Kingdom)
Discusses the need for resilience in coastal communities facing extreme weather events and natural disasters.
The discovery of rapid climate change (Physics Today, USA)
Follows the change in scientific thinking during the 20th century leading to the discovery of rapid climate change.
Timeline of milestones (American Institute of Physics)
Provides a chronological sequence of the most important events in the history of climate change science.
Hotter oceans, fiercer storms (NOVA scienceNOW, USA)
Examines the link between rising sea surface temperature and more intense storms.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Tipping point (Catalyst, 25 May 2006)
Looks at three Australian animals that may not be able to adapt to the rate of environmental change.
Cyclones? Don't blame climate change (News in Science, 21 February 2006)
Argues that the increasing severity of tropical storms cannot be blamed on global warming.
Severe storms (Scribbly Gum, March 2005)
Asks the questions: What makes a severe storm? and What can we do to protect ourselves from storms?
Climate change boosting flood and drought: Experts (News in Science, 3 March 2003)
Describes the rise in the number of extreme weather events worldwide and the impact on water resources.
Page updated September 2006.