NO winters and an average temperature rise of four degrees - that's the stark prediction for Orange in 2050 from researchers at the Australian National University.
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They also say there will be 20 to 30 per cent less rain compared with the long-term average from 1960-1990.
ANU design and data experts applied climate modelling projections to Australia’s 151 federal electorates to identify the top 20 electorates that will be most affected due to climate change, according to a report released by the Australian Conservation Foundation.
"Climate change damage is already occurring across our communities," the Australian Conservation Foundation’s chief executive officer Kelly O’Shanassy said.
What we experience as winters will no longer exist. The year 2050 will be dominated by extreme heat.
"This summer we have seen a devastating drought, intense floods, bushfires in forests that used to be too wet to burn, and record-breaking heatwaves. How much worse this gets depends on how fast we act to stop climate pollution."
Groom and Maranoa in Queensland and New England, Parkes and Calare - which includes Orange - in NSW, have been identified as the top five most affected electorates in the country.
A close look at the data showed the average daily maximum temperature in Orange is predicted to be 24.5 degrees by 2050 compared with the average daily maximum temperature of 20.2 degrees from 1960-1990 if climate change is not stopped.
Similarly, the average daily maximum temperature in Bathurst is predicted to be 24.5 degrees by 2050 compared with the long-term average daily maximum temperature of 20 degrees.
Climate scientists have predicted that there will be no winters in these places.
"What we experience as winters will no longer exist [by 2050]," the report said.
"The year 2050 will be dominated by extreme heat."
The report also predicts Orange will get 24 per cent less rain on average than the period from 1960-90.
The city is predicted to have up to 121 days over 30 degrees (82 days more than 1960-90) and up to three days over 40 degrees (three days more than the 1960-90 average).
Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee said it is important to look after the planet and our local and national environment, as most folks out here would agree.
"That includes dealing with climate change," Mr Gee said.
"I thought Scott Morrison’s recent announcement of the $2 billion Climate Solutions Fund and also the $5 billion Drought Future Fund are good examples of policies which will have local benefits for projects and communities in our area.
"The key is to have a responsible approach that builds preparedness and resilience - particularly in our local farming sector which Australia relies on so much.”
Labor candidate for Calare Jess Jennings, however, used the report to target the Nationals on climate change.
"The Nats still officially deny climate change exists," Mr Jennings said.
"But it is farming families who stand to suffer the most as more and more heatwaves, drought and extreme weather kick in.
"They have straight out betrayed farmers by selfishly denying scientific evidence, purely to promote their own political fortunes at farmers' expense."
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