This week has seen an incredible amount of devastation in Australia.  Not only are many Australian citizens forced to cope with the lost of their homes, but they are also coping with a major loss of life.  What is the cause of all of this?  A bush fire, one that is raging out of control, and global warming may be adding to it.

As of this post, 160 people have died from the bush fire in southern Australia, which has escalated quickly.  The fire spread quickly, leaving some people little to no time to evacuate their homes.  Over 700 houses have been lost, and over 770 square miles burned.

A recent article from Time magazine states that there were early warning signs that a natural disaster was imminent (Time magazine source).  There were warnings that fires in Australia were "certain to increase in intensity and frequency," as stated by the 11th chapter of the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.  They blame steadily warming weather as the reason for the increase in fire hazards.  The Australian government also reported that by 2020 there could be up to 65% more fire danger, and that there will be another 300% increase by 2050.

So why is Australia hit the hardest by fire?  First of all, it is the driest continent.  It has warmed 0.9° C since 1950, and it is expected to grow if greenhouse gas emissions are left unrestrained.  Also, climate change will be to blame for an increase in heat wave and drought in Australia.

People are quick to state that climate change isn't the sole reason for the fires in Australia, as proof rises that some were set deliberately.  There is no doubt, however, that catastrophic climate change is fueling the fires once they have started.  That is why we need to work so hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the impact of climate change.  The coincidence that the word "catastrophic" explains both climate change, and this natural disaster in Australia, is not lost on us.  We can work together, as citizens of this planet, to prevent more deadly fires in not just Australia, but in other areas likely to be hit with heat waves and drought.