Australian Academy of Science plea to public on understanding climate change and bushfires

If you’re looking for answers on the bushfires, go to those who actually gather the evidence and analyse it properly, Australia’s leading scientific organisation says.

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Australia’s leading science organisation is urging the public to look at trustworthy voices to understand the causes of the unprecedented bushfires.

“Australians are looking for trustworthy information and answers about the links between climate change and the bushfires,” Australian Academy of Science president John Shine said.

Professor John Shine. Picture: John Feder/The Australian.

“With much misinformation in the public domain about the cause and impacts of the bushfires, we urge Australians to continue to consult reputable sources of evidence-based information such as the Australian Academy of Science, CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.”

The academy is an independent, national organisation whose members are elected as fellows on the basis of outstanding contribution to science.

“The scale of these bushfires is unprecedented anywhere in the world,” said Professor Shine, a biochemist and former chairman of CSL.

“The scientific evidence base shows that as the world warms due to human-induced climate change, we experience an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

“As a nation, we must deal with extreme weather events more effectively than we currently do.”

The academy called for the response to the bushfires to extend beyond the immediate need to rebuild and recover.

Urban planning, building standards, habitat restoration, biodiversity and species preservation, and land, water and wildlife management will need careful and measured consideration, it said.

“All the while, Australia must take stronger action as its part of the worldwide commitment to limit global warming,” it said.