Drought may reduce global warming ...

Excerpt from ABC News:

Drought may reduce global warming

3 April 2007

A Queensland researcher says the drought in Australia could be helping to reduce global warming.

Dust specialist with the University of Southern Queensland, Doctor Harry Butler, is one of a group of scientists looking at photoplankton blooms in the Southern Ocean and their ability to absorb carbon dioxide.

Dr Butler says they are trying to find out if dust blown into the ocean is feeding the photoplankton.

"Dust which is iron rich is being deposited into the ocean and what's happening is that's providing the nutrients for this plankton growth," he said.

"This plankton is absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and causing a CO2 sink which is a role in global cooling and looking at slowing down climate change."

See - Global warming reversal.