Thread: Climate Change and our Land of Fire, Flood and Drought.

Originally Posted by incisor

dammed if i remember seeing / hearing of any green groups opposing cool burns etc up this way...

yes, a few years ago, stupidly opposing cutting timber to stop dieback a few ago i recall ...

Exactly.

The same thing was claimed here over the weekend, the reality is that it's rainforest that shouldn't be burning atm and it's in National Park.
I know the people in the local NPWS office and they do burns when and there they can, but it comes back to budget and manpower, too

Originally Posted by Tombie

CO2 isnt the evil monster it is made out of - the planet needs CO2 - only animals want O2.

From what I've personally read - CO2 is one of the primary causes of the current climate warming situation. Our ability to produce it in the quantities we do has exceeded the environments ability to absorb it (hence the increasing atmospheric CO2 levels). The ocean is absorbing a lot of the heat and CO2 also which is increasing water temps and ocean acidification. I don't think its doing us any favours in our current situation. We've deforested signification portions of land which has also reduced the ability of the planet to absorb excess CO2. End of the day climate change is just one problem of many that we currently have on this planet.

In regards to the current eastern state fires (I admit I am not familiar with the fire season/intensity/size etc.. on the east coast) I cant remember such intense fires so early in the season occurring previously. Im not saying they haven't before, I just cant think off the top of my head when. WA its normally the end of December when we start getting the bigger intense fires

Excessive CO2 is accumulating in the atmosphere.

Fire chiefs certainly think climate change is causing extreme fire conditions, but the politicians aren't listening.

Former NSW Fire chief frustrated at Govt for 'sweeping climate change under the rug' - The World Today - ABC Radio

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

but the politicians aren't listening.

It would seem in general if they cant do something within their current elected term then they are not interested - absolutely zero outlook to the future. At least that's my observation

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Fuel loads are high because the drought is extreme

*scratches head

hoe does drought cause high fuel loads?

CO2 levels have been far higher, ridiculously higher.
In the middle of Ice Ages.

Newer research is showing that the greatest influence remains the firey ball at the centre of our Solar system and combined with its cycles and our orbital path the effects can be significant.

Look at the new climate models using the recent data from Solar influences, when plugged into the models it is making a mockery of what has been used until recently and is aligning the models closer to what is being observed.

Remember Australia was once an inland sea, was forest and lush all the way across the bight. The planet moves and changes - we’re just along for the ride.

Yes we need to tidy our act up, yes we need to work smarter.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I certainly agree that cutting emergency services was a stupid idea - irresponsible.
Fuel loads are high because the drought is extreme and climate change is contributing to that extremeness. Hazard burning does still happen, but it doesn't prevent extreme fire conditions. It's all linked. Instead of trying to blame individual parts, let's just accept the big picture.

Good seasons/rainfall creates high fuel loads NOT drought Mick, If it doesn't rain nothing grows = Nothing to burn.
Nitwits surrounding their houses in trees especially in fire prone areas need their heads read.
GOOD fire management and education is what is needed Not the odd random/token hazard burn and blaming climate change for peoples ineptitude or ignorance is of NO help whatsoever.

This is NOT the first time the bush has gone up in flames and it certainly won't be the last and instead of playing the "Blame Game" a little bit of proactivity by controlled burns, fire breaks, removing the trees (fuel) that are close to the house/sheds and educating people HOW to mitigate the damage from a bushfire will save more lives and properties that ANY amount of "Soapbox" time ranting about climate change and the governments ineptitude.

Originally Posted by Tombie

CO2 levels have been far higher, ridiculously higher.
In the middle of Ice Ages.

[snip]

Yes we need to tidy our act up, yes we need to work smarter.

Not since Homo Sapien has walked the earth, and the extreme rate of change exceeds anything the has happened in that past, that's the scary bit.