NSW public servants at climate conference told not to discuss link with bushfires

As bushfire conditions were declared “catastrophic” on Tuesday, New South Wales bureaucrats attending a conference on adaption to climate change were directed not discuss the link between climate change and bushfires.

Firefighters work to save a house on Bullocky Way,
Possum Brush, south of Taree on Tuesday. The
NSW government has directed public servants not
to discuss links between climate change and bushfires.

Bureaucrats from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment were sent an email soon after the AdaptNSW 2019 Forum began, causing consternation among some attendees who saw it as tantamount to gagging them.

The email said: “For those attending AdaptNSW today, public affairs has issued advice not to discuss the link between climate change and bushfires.

Read the story from The Guardian by Anne Davies - “NSW public servants at climate conference told not to discuss link with bushfires.”

‘Astounded': former fire chief unloads on politicians over climate change inaction

Decorated Australian firefighter Greg Mullins says climate change is contributing to bushfires so horrendous that homes and lives cannot be protected, and the federal government will not acknowledge the link because it has failed on emissions reduction policy.

Greg Mullins says both major parties have failed
to take steps to arrest Australia's contribution to
climate change.

The extraordinary comments by Mr Mullins, a former NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner, coincides with the Tuesday launch of the group Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action, which will lobby the major parties to drastically reduce fossil fuel use and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Read the story from The Sydney Morning Herald by Nicole Hasham - “‘Astounded': former fire chief unloads on politicians over climate change inaction.”

(Listen to Greg Mullins on the Climate Conversations podcast)

Stan Grant takes The Link to Townsville too talk coal and coral

“The Link” presenter on the ABC, Stan Grant, was in Townsville this week talking to locals about the Adani Galilee Basin coal mine and the Great Barrier Reef.

Watch the June 30 episode here - The Link.