Australia Must Prepare for Climate Change: CFR

Australia endures horrific fires and one of the worst fire seasons in history, with more than 25 people killed, thousands of homes destroyed, a billion animals killed by some estimates, and more than 12 million acres burned. Climate change, high temperatures and drought exacerbate and lengthen the fire seasons. Average temperatures have increased by more than 2 degrees since the 1950s. Alice Hill, writing for the Council on Foreign Relations urges preparation: “enhancing early warning systems and fire prediction capabilities; launching public awareness campaigns on the dangers posed by climate-fueled bushfires and necessary prevention measures; conducting more controlled burns; and developing more stringent building codes that address climate risk.” State and local jurisdictions, which largely rely on volunteer firefighters, must strengthen forces and training, and also restrict development in fire-prone area. Finally, she recommends that the advanced nations reduce carbon footprints, enact climate policies, and take steps to reduce reliance on and exports of coal and other fossil fuels, concluding, “countries can play leadership roles to keep global temperatures from rising to unmanageable, dangerous levels.” – YaleGlobal