Fire down below

The recent devastation caused by wildfires across Europe and Hawaii has sparked concerns about the return of catastrophic bushfires in Australia, but despite the forecast of a hotter, drier summer, a repeat of recent ‘black summers’ appears unlikely.

Black summer lessons

The Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20 consumed more than 10 million hectares, mostly forests in southeast Australia and a new book- Australia’s Megafires – compiles the lessons learned from the disaster.

One black summer

The 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires were a “wake up call” demonstrating the extreme effects of climate change in Australia, according to a group of experts who’ve published a new study examining the factors that caused the disaster.

Bushfire royal commission warns of ‘alarming disaster outlook’

The Royal Commission on last summer’s bushfires has warned of the danger of future events, but makes no mention of the need to tackle climate change.

Could a new national air fleet fight future bushfires?

The inquiry set up following last summer’s devastating bushfires has recommended the creation of a national aerial fire fighting capability and more transparent fuel load management strategies.

Bushfire royal commission warns of catastrophic consequences of climate change

The commission says strong adaptation measures are necessary to respond to the impacts of climate change, and warming beyond the next 20 to 30 years is largely dependent on the trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions.

Australian climate policy after the bushfire crisis

The economic gains from a bold Australian decarbonisation strategy could be significant, and allow the nation to restore its reputation for positive, innovative policy leadership and secure its regional and global partnerships in the coming decades.

A fire too far?

Australia’s trees have evolved with fire, and most need some fire for renewal, but repeated intense fires of recent years are straining their ability to recover.  

Get snappy to help bushfire recovery

UNSW Sydney researchers are urging citizen scientists to use their mobile phones for a good cause: to monitor the recovery of bushfire-affected plants and animals for the Environment Recovery Project which will inform future research.

Volunteers and good science must partner for bushland recovery

University of South Australia ecologist Joan Gibbs describes the day that fires devastated her 70 acre property at Cudlee Creek. One month on, it is already showing signs of recovery.

We can’t say we weren’t warned

Scientists have, clearly and respectfully, warned about the risks to Australia of a rapidly heating climate – including more extreme heat, coastal flooding and more dangerous bushfire conditions. Perhaps now the politicians will listen.

Bushfires, bots and the spread of disinformation

As fire wreaked havoc across large swathes of the country, online Australia battled another crisis in the form of waves of misinformation and disinformation sweeping across social media.