Are Australia’s Bushfires The Result of Climate Change?

For the last few months, my country has been on fire. An estimated 18.6 million hectares have been burnt, nearly 6,000 buildings destroyed, almost one billion animals were killed, and at least 29 people are dead.These bushfires are regarded by the NSW Rural Fire Service as the worst bushfire season in memory for that state.

Was climate change responsible for this?

Australia’s ravaged landscape has drawn the attention and sympathy of people from every corner on earth, with multi-million dollar donations pouring in to help those affected, as well as to support the brave men and women who are on the frontlines fighting the fires. For some, there is no clearer case for the effects of anthropogenic global warming than to simply take a glance at Australia; a country which is literally aflame.

As a result, the fires have sparked worldwide debate surrounding climate change — as well as Australia’s failure to address the issue. Primarily, the conversation has centered around Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has faced a tsunami of backlash after he was found to be on holiday in Hawaii as the fires began to worsen in December. Scott Morison also happens to be religious, and pretty quiet when it comes to his opinions on climate change. Needless to say, ScoMo (as he’s colloquially called) has served as the embodiment and personification of all climate denialism, with many seeing him as the spark which started Australia’s recent burning.

Read the Medium story by Louis O’Neill - “Are Australia’s Bushfires The Result of Climate Change?”

(Louis, it seems, is attached to "Scotty from marketing" department - Robert McLean)