Factsheet about the partnership >>

Project brochure >>

Briefing on Jan 2011 floods>>

Briefing on cyclone Yasi>>

Managing the risks from climate - a partnership approach

See brochure which summarises project findings

Queensland - vulnerable to a very variable climate

Queensland’s economy relies heavily on sectors such as tourism, livestock and other agriculture, which are vulnerable to both natural variations in rainfall and shifts in rainfall due to climate change.

Queensland has a very variable climate, and recent weather has reminded us of that fact. The early years of the 21st century saw severe drought conditions over Queensland, while heavy rains over the 2010–11 summer period resulted in serious flooding. Two of the strongest cyclones to have crossed the Queensland coast—Yasi and Larry—have also hit in the past five years.

To help policymakers design adequate strategies for managing climate impacts and reducing the risk of harmful climate change, it is essential that we first understand the causes of natural rainfall variations and the potential effects of climate change.

Understanding Queensland rainfall

Dr Nicholas Klingaman has been funded by the Queensland Government to investigate rainfall in the state

We are working with scientists from the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence (QCCCE) to improve understanding of Queensland’s rainfall, how and why it has varied and how rainfall may change in future decades.

From 2009 to 2012, Dr Nicholas Klingaman, a research scientist with the National Centre for Atmospheric Science-Climate and the Walker Institute, has been funded by the Queensland Government to work with scientists from QCCCE to investigate rainfall in the state.

Dr Klingaman's research findings will be used to help inform state government and business about the risks posed by climate variability and climate change.