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In Australia, tens of thousands urge PM Morrison’s resignation as bushfires rage

Friday, 10 January 2020 2:23 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 10 January 2020 2:29 PM ]

Participants hold placards as they take part in a demonstration demanding that the government take immediate action against climate change, in Sydney, Australia, on January 10, 2020, in the wake of deadly bushfires that have killed at least 26 people and destroyed more than 2,000 homes in southeastern Australia. (Photo by AFP)

Tens of thousands of Australians have rallied across the country calling on the conservative government to tackle global warming and cut back on fossil fuels, as deadly climate-fueled bushfires burned out of control.

At least 26 people have died, and more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed in the unprecedented blazes.

"The lives that have been lost have been caused by our inaction," protester Monty Oldroyd told AFP on Friday.

"It's been absolutely devastating. I've had multiple friends and family who live in rural areas who had their homes threatened and even destroyed, and livelihoods have been lost."

There has been increasing anger over the cause of the fires, with some Australians accusing Scott Morrison's government of failing to act on climate change and supporting coal mining that has contributed to global warming.

Demonstrators held up signs with messages including "Change the politics not the climate" and "Trust the science," and called for Morrison to step down.

The severe fire conditions have been fueled by a prolonged drought and worsened by climate change, with experts warning that such massive blazes were becoming more frequent and intense.

Australia experienced its driest and hottest year on record in 2019, with its highest average maximum temperature of 41.9 degrees Celsius recorded in mid-December.

The country is one of the world's worst per capita greenhouse gas polluters, due to the heavy use of coal-fired power and a relatively small population of around 25 million.

"I believe that the government has to take action now... if we are to reverse the effects (of climate change) for our future generations for our planet, our people, and our animals," protester Victoria Edghill told AFP.

(Source: AFP)

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