The catastrophic bushfire season is an opportunity for leadership — if only someone would seize it
5 years, 1 month ago

The catastrophic bushfire season is an opportunity for leadership — if only someone would seize it

ABC  

It has been a week of catastrophe in Australia. We don't need 'gotcha' moments The starting point, after a week like this, doesn't have to be who wins the culture war on climate, who concedes the "gotcha" moment of shifting ground. Mayors take charge Sparks was joined on Friday by the mayors of 12 other fire-stricken regions calling on federal and state governments to acknowledge the link between climate change and the catastrophic fire conditions facing New South Wales and Queensland this week. For them, climate change means, right now, the need to recognise "the spiralling costs to the community from catastrophic fires, and provide more funding and resources for frontline services". Former NSW Fire and Rescue commissioner Greg Mullins led the charge, but also got shot down, including by McCormack, because he had dared to mention climate change.

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History of this topic

Australians warned to prepare for fires, cyclones, floods during high-risk season
4 months ago

Australians warned to prepare for fires, cyclones, floods during high-risk season

China Daily  

CANBERRA -- Australians have been told to prepare for possible cyclones, storms, fires and flooding during the upcoming high-risk weather season. Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister on Tuesday said the federal government is preparing for the worst-case disaster scenarios as the nation heads into warmer months of the year. McAllister said on Tuesday that staff members from the National …

Australian Authorities Warn Citizens of Horrific Bushfire Season
1 year, 3 months ago

Australian Authorities Warn Citizens of Horrific Bushfire Season

News 18  

Warm winds fanned multiple blazes on Wednesday in an unusually early start to Australia’s annual fire season, prompting a state leader to warn of a “horror” summer of bushfires ahead. “Be prepared for a horror summer,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told a news conference in Bega. “Bushfires love this environment and it is devastating for regional communities in …

Australia, scarred by bushfires, on high alert for dangerous summer
1 year, 3 months ago

Australia, scarred by bushfires, on high alert for dangerous summer

The Hindu  

Four years since bushfires destroyed wide swathes of southeastern Australia, killing 33, the country is once again on high alert, bracing for what weather experts say will be the hottest, driest period since the so-called Black Summer. "Once we've actually dried out the landscape from the wet conditions it's starting from, it could be that we end up with a …

‘We couldn’t cool down’: Firefighters on a ‘non-stop’ day of blazes and what they expect from climate change
2 years, 5 months ago

‘We couldn’t cool down’: Firefighters on a ‘non-stop’ day of blazes and what they expect from climate change

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Maltby was among the places hit by fires on Tuesday Chris Prodomis, a crew manager …

Cop26: Climate crisis victims tell their stories
3 years, 2 months ago

Cop26: Climate crisis victims tell their stories

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “To see such destruction near the place that I grew up made the climate crisis much more real.” He …

Bushfire royal commission's final report issues warning to Australia over climate change
4 years, 2 months ago

Bushfire royal commission's final report issues warning to Australia over climate change

ABC  

The bushfire royal commission's final report is a stark warning of a future marked by extreme weather impacts of climate change. "Extreme weather has already become more frequent and intense because of climate change; further global warming over the next 20 to 30 years is inevitable," they say. "The Bushfire Royal Commission has laid out the facts in no uncertain …

Australia wildfires probe recommends climate risk forecasts
4 years, 2 months ago

Australia wildfires probe recommends climate risk forecasts

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — An investigation into Australia’s catastrophic wildfire season on Friday recommended greater efforts to forecast the impacts of climate change on specific parts of the country, warning fire behavior was becoming more extreme. Discrepancies between states’ fire hazard mapping methods “make it difficult to measure risk at a national scale or to undertake comparative risk between regions.” “Improving …

Bushfire royal commission says governments need to coordinate for 'more intense' natural disasters
4 years, 4 months ago

Bushfire royal commission says governments need to coordinate for 'more intense' natural disasters

ABC  

Australia's a new emergency warning system needs to be finished quickly, the bushfire royal commission has said, after warning of "more frequent and intense" natural disasters in coming decades. Key points: The bushfire royal commission says a National Cabinet-style approach could work for emergencies other than COVID-19 The commission says work on a new Australian warning system needs to be …

Fossil fuel industry levy should pay for bushfire impact, climate action group report says
4 years, 5 months ago

Fossil fuel industry levy should pay for bushfire impact, climate action group report says

ABC  

Former emergency leaders, climate scientists, doctors and community members are calling on the Federal Government to impose a levy on the fossil fuel industry for a climate disaster fund to help pay for the impact of natural disasters. Key points: A group of 150 experts and bushfire survivors came together in June and July to discuss improvements to bushfire preparation …

Bushfire royal commission hears longer fire seasons making it harder for states to help each other
4 years, 6 months ago

Bushfire royal commission hears longer fire seasons making it harder for states to help each other

ABC  

A firefighting expert has told the natural disaster royal commission that climate change is like a nuclear-powered enemy, making our current firefighting practices "insufficient". Monday's key moments 'Step change' required to deal with changing nature of fires A former fire chief told the commission that Australia had insufficient resources to deal with the future threat of bushfires. "I was in …

Bushfire royal commission looks to the past to show a troubling future
4 years, 7 months ago

Bushfire royal commission looks to the past to show a troubling future

ABC  

Six months ago, Australia was burning. While these predictions are not new, the last bushfire season showed the potential destruction when multiple events happen at once — drought, followed by fire, followed by flood. Worse still, the commission heard even if we do reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, the effect of a warming climate has "partially locked in" future extreme …

Royal commission into bushfire crisis begins hearings with focus on impact of climate change
4 years, 7 months ago

Royal commission into bushfire crisis begins hearings with focus on impact of climate change

ABC  

As the country navigates its way out of the coronavirus crisis, you would be forgiven for feeling like it has been longer than a matter of months since it seemed the biggest issue facing Australia this year would be the fallout from the summer's bushfires. Key points: The royal commission was formed in the wake of the "Black Summer" bushfire …

50 Years of Earth Day: What’s Better Today, and What’s Worse
4 years, 8 months ago

50 Years of Earth Day: What’s Better Today, and What’s Worse

New York Times  

In the 1970s, environmentalism was overwhelmingly bipartisan. While research by Pew shows that voters’ interest in climate and environmental issues is soaring, it also reveals an astonishing split: More than 75 percent of Democrats called climate change a top policy priority, while less than 25 percent of Republicans did. Fossil fuel companies and political donors have funded denial of the …

Australian PM’s leadership criticized during wildfire crisis
5 years ago

Australian PM’s leadership criticized during wildfire crisis

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — As his country burned, Australia’s prime minister was cursed and jeered out of a town, called an “idiot,” a “moron” and worse, and skewered at home and abroad for his dismissive response toward climate change. The outpouring of frustration and rage from many Australians toward Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s lethargic wildfire response has been likened to the …

Australia’s leaders unmoved on climate action after devastating bushfires
5 years ago

Australia’s leaders unmoved on climate action after devastating bushfires

The Hindu  

Australia's government is sticking firmly to a position that there is no direct link between climate change and the country's devastating bushfires, despite public anger, the anguish of victims and warnings from scientists. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Emissions Reduction Minister, Angus Taylor, say Australia does not need to cut carbon emissions more aggressively to limit global warming, even …

Storms bring relief — and danger — to Australian wildfire regions
5 years ago

Storms bring relief — and danger — to Australian wildfire regions

LA Times  

Thunderstorms and showers brought some relief for firefighters battling deadly wildfires across Australia’s drought-parched east coast on Wednesday, but also raised concerns that lightning will spark more fires before dangerous hot and windy conditions return. Around 2,300 firefighters in New South Wales state were making the most of relatively benign conditions by frantically consolidating containment lines around more than 110 …

Are the bushfires Scott Morrison's Hurricane Katrina moment that he can't live down?
5 years ago

Are the bushfires Scott Morrison's Hurricane Katrina moment that he can't live down?

ABC  

Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst natural disasters in US history. As people yell at the Prime Minister when he visits their devastated communities, or howl for his blood on social media, the story of Bush's failure to immediately recognise a catastrophe and the urgent need for leadership it represented tells us what problems are created by Scott Morrison's …

Bushfires In Australia May Get Even Worse With 'Horrible Day' On Horizon
5 years ago

Bushfires In Australia May Get Even Worse With 'Horrible Day' On Horizon

NPR  

Bushfires In Australia May Get Even Worse With 'Horrible Day' On Horizon Enlarge this image toggle caption Darrian Traynor/Getty Images Darrian Traynor/Getty Images As hard as it may be to believe, the bushfires ravaging large swaths of Australia are likely to get worse in the coming days. Citing a menacing cocktail of high temperatures and gusty winds, Australia's Bureau of …

Bushfire to affect residents and holidaymakers long after the flames die out
5 years ago

Bushfire to affect residents and holidaymakers long after the flames die out

ABC  

Residents and holidaymakers by their thousands have escaped the flames, only to face another trial … what next? Key points: Thousands remain stranded in New South Wales and Victoria Shortages of fuel, food and water have been reported, as well as communication and power outages People face days before roads can be reopened The bushfire crisis engulfing New South Wales …

Liberal MPs Matt Kean and Sussan Ley link bushfires to climate change
5 years ago

Liberal MPs Matt Kean and Sussan Ley link bushfires to climate change

ABC  

NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean and his federal counterpart Sussan Ley have broken ranks with some Coalition colleagues and blamed Australia's devastating bushfires on climate change. Key points: Bushfires have so far destroyed more than 720 homes and 2.7 million hectares of land in NSW this season Six people have also been killed Mr Kean and Ms Ley are blaming …

Australian PM Scott Morrison refuses to take blame for environmental policies causing unprecedented bushfires, insists govt was 'doing enough' to tackle climate change
5 years, 1 month ago

Australian PM Scott Morrison refuses to take blame for environmental policies causing unprecedented bushfires, insists govt was 'doing enough' to tackle climate change

Firstpost  

Australia’s Prime Minister on Thursday denied his climate policies had caused unprecedented bushfires ravaging the country and insisted his government was doing enough to tackle global warming Sydney: Australia’s Prime Minister on Thursday denied his climate policies had caused unprecedented bushfires ravaging the country and insisted his government was doing enough to tackle global warming. As blazes that have scorched …

PM denies link to climate policies as fires scorch arid Australia
5 years, 1 month ago

PM denies link to climate policies as fires scorch arid Australia

Al Jazeera  

Fires have now sprung up in four states as firefighters battle to contain blazes that have killed six people. Australia’s Prime Minister on Thursday denied his climate change policies had caused unprecedented bushfires ravaging the country and insisted his government was doing enough to tackle global warming. As blazes that have left six dead and scorched swathes of countryside sprang …

Australia’s bushfires: Trust firefighters like me, climate crisis inaction is making things worse
5 years, 1 month ago

Australia’s bushfires: Trust firefighters like me, climate crisis inaction is making things worse

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. As bushfires ravaged large parts of …

I lost my home to bushfire. Thoughts and prayers are not enough
5 years, 1 month ago

I lost my home to bushfire. Thoughts and prayers are not enough

ABC  

Fires of unprecedented number and ferocity are raging in New South Wales and Queensland. If the Morrison Government seriously wanted fewer Australians to experience a bushfire crisis, it would use the current situation to galvanise public sentiment, shift the political agenda, and make meaningful inroads into emissions reduction. The World Meteorological Organisation said in February that the four years to …

Australia bushfires: Tens of thousands told ‘it is too late to leave’ as blazes rage towards them
5 years, 1 month ago

Australia bushfires: Tens of thousands told ‘it is too late to leave’ as blazes rage towards them

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tens of thousands of Australians …

The causes of unprecedented bushfires are complex but climate change is part of the puzzle
5 years, 1 month ago

The causes of unprecedented bushfires are complex but climate change is part of the puzzle

ABC  

As bushfires tear through New South Wales and Queensland, leaving a trail of destruction, we inevitably find ourselves asking: what can be done to stop them? So, with unprecedented extreme fire weather conditions upon us, what can we do to safeguard ourselves against a more flammable future? Unprecedented conditions Extreme fire weather creates fire conditions that exceed all known firefighting …

Barnaby Joyce says NSW bushfire victims 'most likely' voted for the Greens
5 years, 1 month ago

Barnaby Joyce says NSW bushfire victims 'most likely' voted for the Greens

ABC  

The victims of New South Wales' devastating bushfires have been dragged into the federal political arena as politicians bicker over the role of climate change and controlled burning. Key points: Barnaby Joyce made the comments as he sought to attack the Greens' failure to support hazard-reduction burning Kristina Keneally has criticised the Nationals backbencher for the comments Greens Senator Jordon …

WA bushfire season sees fire authorities brace for bad conditions leading into summer
5 years, 1 month ago

WA bushfire season sees fire authorities brace for bad conditions leading into summer

ABC  

As devastating bushfires tear through communities on the east coast of the country, emergency services in Western Australia are holding their breath. After a series of relatively mild summers, and a relatively dry winter this year, fire authorities warn bushfire conditions heading into summer are on a par with some of the worst seen in recent years. "We look at …

As fire seasons overlap in Australia and California, sharing firefighting resources will only get harder
5 years, 2 months ago

As fire seasons overlap in Australia and California, sharing firefighting resources will only get harder

ABC  

Greg Mullins is frightened, and that goes against the grain. Key points: California's fire season is starting to overlap with Australia's, which will make it harder to share firefighting resources Former fire chief Greg Mullins is calling for more resources in Australia A group of former senior emergency chiefs are trying to meet with Scott Morrison to discuss the issue …

Australia is not prepared to fight the bushfires of the future, experts warn
5 years, 3 months ago

Australia is not prepared to fight the bushfires of the future, experts warn

ABC  

The bushfires of the future are already here. Key points: The national aerial firefighting centre, which two years ago flagged the need for an $11m funding boost, still has not received a decision from the Federal Government The Government has not guaranteed funding for the only national body researching the future of bushfires Twenty-three emergency services experts calling on the …

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