Australians are accustomed to receiving messages about preparing for bushfires and other extreme weather conditions at this time of year. However, as the weather becomes more unpredictable and memories of severe bushfires from three years ago linger, these public service announcements have taken on added significance.
Australia recently passed new climate laws, but at the same time, the country has continued to approve new fossil fuel projects. This has sparked opposition from Indigenous communities, who are experiencing the effects of fossil fuel extraction and climate change firsthand.
The push for the global phasing out of fossil fuels at a recent COP28 meeting has led to confusion, given Australia’s significant fossil fuel expansion at home. In fact, Australia is one of the world’s top exporters of coal, and the country’s oil and gas expansion plans are among the largest globally.
Despite mixed messages on the world stage, the government’s domestic warnings about fire dangers are clear. However, former fire chief Greg Mullins argues that more needs to be done to address the growing climate crisis, including urgent action to reduce emissions and draw on Indigenous land management practices as nature-based solutions.
At the same time, there is a call for more public awareness campaigns to counter the influence of the fossil fuel industry and address the challenges posed by climate change. Overall, the message is to turn anxiety into action against the companies contributing to extreme weather events.