Climate change in Australia

Tim Flannery, a professor at Macquarie University in Sydney who has sounded alarms about global warming’s toll on Australia, says that “the cost to Australia for climate change is going to be greater than for any developed country.” (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 12:20 PM PT

Russell Garaid walks through his neighbors’ yard, where water-damaged belongings are piled outside the flooded home on the Herbert River in Queensland state. Australians in the south would see water as heaven-sent, but in the north, its considered a curse. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Russell Garaid enjoys a cold beer on the back porch of his home overlooking the Herbert River in Queensland, which flooded in February. The government had to airdrop supplies to residents who were cut off. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Graham Keegan, Wivenhoe Dam’s engineering officer, makes his way past water-level markers on the shores of the reservoir near Brisbane, Australia. Drought conditions have pushed the water level below 40% of capacity. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Firefighters set backfires in the bush near the town of Buxton in Victoria state after high winds were forecast. Firefighters were hoping to contain the wildfire that began on Feb. 7. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

The “Black Saturday” fire left behind charred cars and homes in Buxton, Victoria. Climate scientists say Australia beset by drought and bush fires in the south and flooding in the north, among other problems epitomizes the “accelerated climate crisis” that global warming models have forecast. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Children at St. John’s Primary School in the Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg wear hats for protection against ultraviolet rays during lunch outdoors. Because of a hole in the ozone layer over much of Australia, schoolchildren are discouraged from going outside unless they wear hats. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)