The experts are unequivocal – the unprecedented ferocity of this bushfire crisis is driven by climate change. Burning polluting fuels like coal, and clearing carbon-dense forests and woodlands, have damaged our climate making fire conditions ever-more dangerous.
Severe drought, very dry vegetation and soils, strong winds and record-breaking heat are driven by climate damage and all contribute to worsening conditions for bushfires. Even rainforests that are normally too wet to burn have dried out and burned for the first time on record.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people use fire and other methods to manage country, but since European colonisation governments have prevented many First Nations communities from continuing their highly sophisticated land management. Whilst traditional land management has continued in some regions, most of the communities affected by this bushfire crisis have had limited management by First Nations people for well over a century. This is beginning to change, however, with successful Aboriginal fire and land management programs now in place in more places around Australia.
Changes in land management combined with climate damage means the risks from bushfires on people, property and wildlife is higher than ever before.
Scientists have warned for years that climate change would increase the risk of extreme bushfires in Australia and be very apparent by 2020. This warning was accurate – and largely ignored by successive federal governments.
Scientists expect dangerous fire weather will continue to become more frequent and severe without substantial and rapid action to reduce climate pollution from burning polluting fuels like coal, and clearing forests and woodlands. That’s why we need urgent action to stop burning polluting fuels, switch to clean energy, and protect and restore degraded ecosystems.
Firefighters have clearly stated that fires are more destructive because there’s so little moisture in the landscape (Source). This is because of drought and heat fuelled by climate damage. Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has also said very publicly that hazard reduction burns have not prevented these recent fires from destroying homes and killing people. (Source)
The window for so-called prescribed burning measures during winter months is getting smaller and smaller. This is because climate damage is making temperatures higher, and droughts longer and drier. This has been expressed numerous times by fire authorities.
There are also many downsides to a big increase in prescribed burning, including increased air pollution and the chance of fires getting out of control and damaging property and ecosystems. Prescribed burning is also very resource intensive and must be ecologically appropriate as it can do as much, and sometimes more damage to natural ecosystems as unplanned fires.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have highly sophisticated knowledge of burning techniques, from which communities and governments can learn so much. This crisis has further elevated the need to take greater leadership from First Nations communities on these issues.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Inspector Ben Shepherd said earlier this week lightning was predominantly responsible for the bushfire crisis, stating “I can confidently say the majority of the larger fires that we have been dealing with have been a result of fires coming out of remote areas as a result of dry lightning storms”. (Source)
Because climate damage has made conditions more severe, it’s becoming harder and harder to contain fires once they’ve started. That’s why ending climate-wrecking pollution is so important – no matter how fires start, they’re becoming increasingly more difficult to stop.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Inspector Ben Shepherd said earlier this week lightning was predominantly responsible for the bushfire crisis, stating “I can confidently say the majority of the larger fires that we have been dealing with have been a result of fires coming out of remote areas as a result of dry lightning storms”. (Source)
Because climate damage has made conditions more severe, it’s becoming harder and harder to contain fires once they’ve started. That’s why ending climate-wrecking pollution is so important – no matter how fires start, they’re becoming increasingly more difficult to stop.
Some people are trying to deflect the conversation away from climate damage and the fact that burning fossil fuels like coal has fuelled this crisis. Important discussions on the causes of the fires and the required solutions have both fallen victim to deliberate misinformation.
Dealing with misinformation can be sensitive – we encourage you to check the sources of the information you share, and take a moment to read some analysis of how the misinformation is spreading and be understanding if those around you are confused or share information you know to be false.
Some useful information:
Article: Hazard reduction burns are 'not the panacea': RFS boss
Article: Disinformation and lies are spreading faster than Australia’s bushfires
Article: Bots and trolls spread false arson claims in Australian fires ‘disinformation campaign