Topic: Queensland's soggy soils revealed

[sam]

The extent to which Queensland's soils became saturated with water as the Australian state was deluged with rain is evident in new satellite imagery.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12206639

[Simon]

There's going to be a lot of clearing up to do. 

[Rik]

Is the gap due to orbit, Sam? Looking at the news reports, I wonder how Australia will afford the clean up without outside help.

[Simon]

I haven't a clue about the Australian economy. Are they all that hard up? 

[Rik]

No, it's doing quite well, I think, but almost half the country has been affected - that's a lot of re-building.

[Simon]

And a lot of insurance payouts. 

[Rik]

Except that a lot of the people didn't have flood insurance because it was too expensive.

[Simon]

Ouch!

[Rik]

Indeed. Plus, of course, a large section of the Australian economy has been hit, which would be hard for any country to absorb.

[Simon]

I guess this sort of thing can't be planned for. 

[Rik]

Planned for, but not really coped with. They've lost a huge amount of wheat production, for example. Not only will this put up world prices, but will probably require Australia to import grain. It's like having Birmingham to the south coast flooded here, the financial pain would be massive.

[sam]

Is the gap due to orbit, Sam? Looking at the news reports, I wonder how Australia will afford the clean up without outside help.

I think so.

[sam]

I haven't a clue about the Australian economy. Are they all that hard up? 

they make lots of money out of minerals and radio active stuff...

[Rik]

But also have a strong agricultural element.

[Simon]

And they don't give it all away to migrants!