The disasters have come one after another. While they may not be entirely preventable, we can take many practical steps tailored to local needs and conditions to reduce the impacts on our cities.
Arnagretta Hunter, Australian National University et John Hewson, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Other existential risks include the decline of natural resources (particularly water), human population growth beyond the Earth’s carrying capacity, and nuclear weapons.
Long before a fire season that destroyed 3,500 homes, more than 100,000 Australians were homeless. If only we showed the same urgency and innovation in housing them as we did for bushfire victims.
Earth-covered houses are not only highly fire-resistant, but sustainable features such as off-grid power and water supplies could also be life-saving in a bushfire.
Some threatened species hit hard by the bushfires this summer have populations in and around urban areas, which are now crucial refuges. Here are some tips to help improve their odds of survival.
Australia’s tourism sector has been hit hard by bushfires and coronavirus. The are good reasons to think it may take a lot longer than in the past for the numbers to bounce back.
A scientist whose Kangaroo Island home was threatened by the summer’s bushfires says there is a ‘knowledge gap’ between satellite data and useful maps that can protect communities.
Most of us are familiar with the concept of psychological trauma. But what is collective trauma, and how can we tackle it in the wake of the bushfire crisis?
Australia can learn from how India used community hubs to bridge the gap between government and local communities in the challenging years of reconstruction.