dailyviz

A new interactive map by the LA Times shows the effects of climate change expected in Australia.

Most notably, Australians can expect a spreading desert, shrinking rain forest, withering barrier reef, and an increase in mosquito-borne illness stretching all the way down to Sydney. A local described the effects of the decade-long drought as:

Suicide is high. Depression is huge. Families are breaking up. It’s devastation,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ve got a neighbor in terrible trouble. Found him in the paddock, sitting in his [truck], crying his eyes out. Grown men — big, strong grown men. We’re holding on by the skin of our teeth. It’s desperate times.

It’s worth noting that Australia gets 80% of its energy from coal and has the largest per capita CO2 emissions. Apparently there’s more important things to focus on, like nationwide broadband.