In the rusty metal hulk where he and the cockroach take shelter from dust storms, he keeps a carefully sorted collection of treasures, including Zippo lighters, nuts and bolts, and a Rubik's Cube.
He said: "I think the droughts [and dust storms] in Australia are a harbinger."
Flying over Denver recently, I found myself transfixed by the carved and sculpted landscapes, the bald deserts and red river canyons, the mountains hewn by ancient dust storms.
130 scientists from twelve countries have gathered in the western Pacific area to observe thick dust storms.
