People hold candles during Earth Hour after the lights were turned off in central Amman March 29, 2014.
People hold candles during Earth Hour after the lights were turned off in central Amman March 29, 2014. Earth Hour, when everyone around the world is asked to turn off lights for an hour from 8.30 p.m. local time, is meant as a show of support for tougher actions to confront climate change. Reuters/Ali Jarekji

An Australian forever-drought could be created due to the fall in rainfall levels in Southern Australia by 40 per cent, said a report conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The reported showed that man-made climate change is the direct cause, in which Perth is at most risk because of its different levels of rainfall. Perth will have to count on external sources of water.

The study involved the use of a high-resolution global climate model. The study showed that increasing levels of greenhouse gases and the expanding hole in the ozone layers are suppressing rainfall.

The co-author of the study, Tom Delworth, explained, "This new high-resolution climate model is able to simulate regional-scale precipitation with considerably improved accuracy compared to previous generation models. This is a major step forward in our effort to improve the prediction of regional climate change, particularly involving water resources."

The study states that many aspects of the observed regional rainfall decline over southern and southwest Australia are reproduced in response to anthropogenic changes in levels of greenhouse gases and ozone in the atmosphere, whereas anthropogenic aerosols do not contribute to the simulated precipitation decline.

Lead researcher Nerilie Abram said that the carbon dioxide has directed the winds towards Antarctica - essentially 'stealing' rain from Australia. Australian media mogul Robert Murdoch stated that Australia needs to stop investing in renewable energy and approach climate change with 'extreme scepticism'.

Since the 1970s, Southern Australia has been facing a decline in the amount of autumn and winter rain.

Natural causes like volcanic eruptions and changes in the sun's radiation were tested by the help of the model. But none of these causes are the reason for the long-term observed drying, hence pointing out the it is due to human activity.

Delworth explained, "Predicting potential future changes in water resources, including drought, are an immense societal challenge. This new climate model will help us more accurately and quickly provide resource planners with environmental intelligence at the regional level. The study of Australian drought helps to validate this new model, and thus builds confidence in this model for ongoing studies of North American drought."

The Climate Council said that the 2013-2014 summer saw sweltering temperatures in Perth, in the southwest, and Adelaide, in the south, while Sydney went through its driest summer in 27 years.