Minister attends roundtable meeting to discuss climate change and bushfire action
The number of Australians “very concerned” about climate change has increased in just a few months, as Science Minister Karen Andrews meets with bushfire experts today in an attempt to address the ongoing crisis.
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Almost half of Australians are “very concerned” about climate changed compared to 40 per cent six months ago, a new survey has revealed.
The Australian Institute’s Climate of the Nation – published today, and conducted between January 8 and 12 – found 79 per cent of Australians are concerned about climate change and 47 per cent are “very concerned”.
These figures are up five and 10 percentage points respectively, totalling 74 per cent and 37 per cent in July 2019.
A total of 1033 Australians took part in the survey.
The Australian Institute deputy director Ebony Bennett said “almost seven in 10 Australians see the clear link between the bushfires and climate change, and they want the government to lead on climate action.”
“Two thirds of Australians agree the current bushfire crisis demonstrates the cost of inaction on climate change,” she said.
Ms Bennet’s comments follow Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews sitting down with bushfire researchers and experts at a roundtable meeting in Canberra today to discuss ways to address the devastation.
“Every second that we spend talking about whether the climate is changing, is a second we are not spending on looking at adaptation, mitigation strategies,” she told ABC radio early today.
“It really is time for everyone to move on and to look at what we’re going to do.”
Ms Andrews confirmed the protection of koalas and other species is at the top of the meeting’s agenda.
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The meeting is taking place at Canberra and the experts will sit down with minister Sussan Ley, who will meet with Australia’s threatened species commissioner after the Federal Government announced a $50 million program to support environmental groups and intervene to support wildlife.
Sydney’s Taronga Zoo has secured part of the $50 million pledge, alongside Zoos South Australia and Zoos Victoria, for the treatment of injured animals and establishment of “insurance populations”.
Charities including the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul will also benefit from part of the funding, with $10 million of it going towards the National Debt Hotline.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said charities would be responsible for divvying out food vouchers handed out to those affected by bushfires, as well as helping those impacted to pay for bills, petrol, clothing and transport costs.
Increased funding for the debt hotline will go towards getting locals into bushfire-affected areas to provide face-to-face financial counselling.
“For many people right now it’s the basics that count,” Mr Morrison said.
The meetings are part of a strategy to get the best advice from experts on a range of topics to inform the government’s bushfire response.
On Thursday farming representatives will meet in Canberra to discuss recovery efforts of the agriculture sector, which has received $100 million in grants of up to $75.000 to rebuild fences and replace equipment.
Meetings to discuss tourism and bushfire relief will be held on Friday.
Originally published as Minister attends roundtable meeting to discuss climate change and bushfire action