As you may know by now, El Nino is looking more likely, with international climate models indicating that ocean temperatures are likely to remain above El Niño thresholds until at least the southern hemisphere spring. However, the accuracy of model outlooks at this time of year is lower than at other times. This issue includes news about the Emissions Reduction Fund; more than half of the carbon sequestration contracted for in this round will be in carbon farming projects. There’s also quite a bit happening in water with a review of the northern basin water allocations, and new groundwater limits proposed for three areas in the MDBA. And in California, the four year drought is so severe it may be the worst drought in 1200 years; mandatory water restrictions have been introduced for the first time in the state’s history.