The report, from Adelaide scientist and researcher Keith Potts, draws on correlations between aerosol (smoke) plumes north of Australia and drought indicators such as inflows into the River Murray.

The report mounts a convincing case for a rethink in the rush to blame carbon dioxide emissions on the recent run of dry years.

And for South Australian primary producers grappling with consecutive years of low, erratic rainfall and widespread water shortages, the report's findings may offer a vital clue in understanding how and why the State is missing out on normal rainfall patterns.

Furthermore, the report has the potential to throw open the debate on the short-term impact of carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, despite the connection on emissions and drought in Australia becoming more widely accepted in recent times.

"The simplest way to think about it is that carbon dioxide is like cancer. Eventually, it's going to destroy us. These aerosol plumes are like a heart attack; once they happen the effect is immediate," Mr Potts said.

"And the climate in south eastern Australia changes within a few days of a smoke plume appearing."

• Details: A copy of Keith Potts' paper 'Aerosol Plumes: The cause of Droughts and El Niño Events By Regional Dimming' is available at: http://www.graceresearch.com/KeithPotts.pdf

SOURCE: Stock Journal, SA