MANY years ago I remember climate scientists, meteorologists and fire behaviour specialists predicting that climate change would increase the frequency and severity of bushfires in Australia, especially in the south-east, which are already fire-prone regions. It seems as though their warnings, unpalatable as they were, are eventuating. It also seems that certain people who should know better are, for some obscure reasons, continuing to ignore or deny the uncomfortable reality that is now occurring. If our elected “leaders” still don’t get it, despite the heat records being continually broken and despite the loss of property and life in out-of-control bushfires, it will rest upon the shoulders of you and I to convince them that they must act in a decisive and expedient way to ensure that humanity doesn’t irreparably stuff the joint up. People, not politicians, will be needed to make these changes, if we want a future. — GLENN WILSON, Tallangatta Valley
