Australia Swelters: Climate Crisis Fuels Extreme Heat

Australia's second-largest city, Melbourne, recently recorded one of its hottest days since 1910, with several suburbs exceeding 45C. Adelaide, the fifth-largest city, also reached 45C, followed by its hottest night on record with a minimum temperature of 34C. These extreme temperatures are occurring in the context of a larger pattern of global heating.

While specific attribution studies are pending, analysis indicates that the recent heatwave across Australia was five times more likely due to human-caused climate change. The heat was approximately 1.6C hotter because of the climate crisis, significantly intensifying conditions and contributing to widespread bushfires that have devastated large areas and destroyed numerous buildings.

The severity of recent heatwaves prompts urgent calls for climate adaptation to be central to national decision-making. While preparedness for extreme weather events has improved since 2009's Black Saturday disaster, further action is needed. This includes developing a meaningful national adaptation plan and addressing the nation's substantial fossil fuel exports, which contradict climate goals.

Despite government commitments to limit global heating to 1.5C, Australia continues to support new gas fields and coal expansion. This stance is defended by arguments regarding carbon accounting rules, but critics argue it's a hypocritical approach that ignores the reality of escalating climate impacts, as evidenced by the recent extreme heat.