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The Dangers of Australia’s Inaction
Government politics are risking the future
Australia has the world’s attention. Currently, around 15 million acres — roughly twice the size of Belgium — have burned, around 2000 homes have been destroyed and 24 people have been killed. Thousands of people are stranded in regions where it is too late to evacuate, waiting for help from the 3000+ troops deployed.
Extreme heat thought to be caused by the Indian Ocean Dipole — a weather event where sea surface temperatures are warmer in the western half of the ocean and cooler in the east — combined with winds of up to 85mph and prolonged droughts make prime conditions for the fires to spread far quicker than they can be put out.
Although the country is currently seeing the first rain in a long time, it has been warned that the worst is yet to come. On Saturday in Penrith, just west of Sydney, temperatures reached 48.9C. This was believed to be the hottest place on earth for a short time. In a week in December, all-time heat records were broken on consecutive days. The highest average temperature for the country reached 40.9C on Tuesday, just for this to be eclipsed by a 41.9C temperature average on Wednesday.
Australia has always experienced extreme heat and bushfires but they are increasing in intensity. The Commonwealth Scientific…
