FORMER FIRE CHIEFS have called on the New South Wales government to urgently step up emissions reduction efforts after the NSW Bushfire Inquiry identified climate change as a key driver of worsening bushfire conditions.
“The NSW Bushfire Inquiry has echoed what the experts have said all along: Climate change is driving longer, hotter, and more dangerous bushfire seasons, including our Black Summer,” said Greg Mullins, former Commissioner, Fire and Rescue NSW.
“As Australia enters a new era of climate-driven bushfires where fires are more likely to develop dangerous pyroconvection events, we have to address the root cause of worsening conditions.
“Immediate steps the NSW state government can take to drive down emissions include: rejecting all new coal and gas projects like Santos’ Narrabri project, and accelerating its net-zero plan to create clean, long-term jobs in sectors like renewable energy.
“While NSW and all other states and territories have net zero emissions policies, the Federal Government still doesn’t. This must change, and we need a national net zero emissions plan to keep all Australians safe from climate change-fuelled fire danger,” said Mr Mullins.
The inquiry also found that hazard reduction burning will become less effective as fire seasons worsen, and that NSW needs to increase training for emergency services personnel, and bolster aerial firefighting resources.
Peter Dunn, member of the Conjola Community Recovery Association and former Commissioner, ACT Emergency Services Authority, added: “As climate change supercharges bushfires, emergency services also need more resourcing to prioritise early fire detection.”
“Communities in the climate change firing line also need support to stay safe and connected during a bushfire. The NSW and Federal governments should establish and fund permanent community resilience hubs in every local government area,” said Mr Dunn.
