Bushfire survivors welcome new CSIRO facility Thursday, March 17. Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action welcomes the unveiling of CSIRO’s new bushfire behaviour research facility in Canberra. Quotes attributable to Jo Dodds, President of Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action:
“The new ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Bushfire Behaviour Research laboratory brings hope to many bushfire survivors that other communities, families, businesses and towns won’t suffer the same tragedies as we have experienced. As we’ve seen, climate change-fuelled events such as floods and fires are increasing in frequency and ferocity. These disasters are also becoming more unpredictable, making it harder for communities to prepare for, fight, or escape from.
“We know because we’ve lived through these disasters – they change lives forever. And we’re heartbroken to see that communities who were still recovering from previous disasters have been hit again and again – it makes it so hard to get on your feet again, to make decisions about where and when to re-build, how to secure jobs, and keep businesses running.
“Any information which helps us prepare for fires, know how to stay safe from fires and protect our loved ones and properties, is very welcome. But at the same time we are also realistic about the fact that while we can likely adapt to fires in a climate that has warmed by 1.5 degrees, Australia’s current emissions trajectory is taking us towards 3 degrees or more of warming. It’s just not possible for us to adapt to that kind of climate.
“Bushfire survivors want to see the creation of more jobs and prosperity particularly in the hardest hit regional areas. We can do this AND build a safer future by supporting manufacturing and renewables hubs in the regions. Focusing on these opportunities will bring life back to the bush and mean more flourishing towns and communities.
“The new bushfire research facility will help make this opportunity a reality.”
Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action formed after the Tathra District fire in 2018. We raise the voices of people who are experiencing first hand the impacts of climate change. As parents, farmers, business owners, volunteers, community members and voters – we call for non-partisan action from all political leaders to reduce emissions and make communities safer.
