Record Drought & Heat Increase GHG Emissions In Victoria State, Australia - The Age

HOT weather and the drought were key factors in driving up Victoria's greenhouse gas emissions this summer.

At the start of this year, international non-profit organisation The Climate Group and The Age launched a world-first weekly greenhouse indicator, tracking changes in demand for coal-fired electricity, petroleum and natural gas, which together account for about 85 per cent of the state's greenhouse emissions.

Yesterday The Climate Group released its first quarterly review of those results, showing that Victorians' energy use had generated more than 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in the past three months — the equivalent of driving 6 million average cars for a year. Emissions peaked above 2 million tonnes for three weeks in late January to mid-February, as people used air-conditioners and manufacturing industry returned to work.

Water shortages reduced the amount of large-scale hydroelectricity generation available, driving up demand for coal and gas-powered electricity. Emissions from transport rose slightly over January but have dipped again in recent weeks. The Climate Group's Australian director, Rupert Posner, said other states and cities, including London, had expressed interest in following Victoria's lead and publishing their weekly greenhouse indicators.

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http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/heat-drought-spur-rise-in-emissions/2007/04/08/1175970943697.html